Army rifle qualifications at the turn of the 20th century

[Drydock]

http://www.jouster.com/sea_stories/krag_rifle_qualification_course_1902-1903.pdf

[pony express]

That "Skirmish line" portion looks pretty challenging, a lot harder than the "pop up" targets we qualified with in '76.

Although I remember I did have some problems with wind on the 300 meter pop ups(shooting the popgun across a valley at Ft Wood)


But....but....1000 INCHES? 25 meters? Is 40 shots at 25 meters really the whole course now?

[Shotgun Franklin]

I'd be willing to bet that many Regulars seldom shot those courses. During 'Peace Time' soldier skills and training kinda get pushed aside. When Clinton was President gun people in San Antonio often donated ammo to Amry and Air Force Units for target practice. We even offered to let GIs shoot our guns to keep in practice. I once gave 2, 20 boxes of Nato surplus .45 ACP ammo to 2 MPs because they only had 10 rounds of ammo between'm.

[MUD MARINE]

My goodness, the Marine Corps sure emphasized marksmanship during my day. Every year, we had to qualify with the rifle. Since my TO weapons were the .45 and the .38, I aslo had to qualify with them every year! Woe be to the Marine that failed to qualify!

I sure don't recall any lack of practice ammunition.

I never was much with the rifle and never qualified higher than Sharpshooter but always made Expert with the pistol and the revolver.

My eldest just got out as a captain. His scores were the reverse of mine, with Expert rifle and Sharpshooter with the pistol.

As a formerly active Marine, I practiced "up a storm" with the rifle and finally got pretty good. I have shot NRA bullseye forever so, until reaching my dotage, I did fairly well.

I am going to make some squaw and papoose targets for our Kootenay Valley Rifle and Pistol club tange and for my own range. I think that it will be a hoot to see how we do shooting the old Army Qualification Course.

[Drydock]

I'd love to have a few of those targets made up in steel for our shoots.

[Pitspitr]

I'd love to have a few of those targets made up in steel for our shoots.

I agree.
Ned Neiderlander and I have been talking about trying to get some of the 1880's army sillhouettes cut for this fall.