Welcome to today’s Photo of the Day! Here we have one of only seven experimental sniper rifles that launched American military precision shooting – a Model 1898 Krag fitted with a Cataract Optical Company telescopic sight from 1900-1901.
The Ordnance Board tested the first rifle in 1900 with impressive results – accurate hits on targets out to 2,000 yards with clear advantages in hazy or foggy conditions. Based on these findings, they ordered six additional rifles fitted with Cataract scopes for field trials. Four went to Manila during the Philippine Insurrection, one to Fort Leavenworth, and one to Fort Monroe. The Cataract scope mounts to the left side of the rifle, attaching to the rear barrel band and a side plate. Both bases have fine adjustment knobs for windage and elevation – advanced features for 1900.
Field trials revealed mixed results. While the scopes showed clear advantages for long-range accuracy, recoil damage was a problem – several front lenses became dislodged during testing. The trials ended in 1901 when Cataract was acquired by J. Stevens Arms, and the Army’s attention shifted to developing the Model 1903 Springfield.
What makes this rifle historically significant is its role as America’s first purpose-built military sniper rifle of the smokeless powder era. The combination of the .30-40 Krag’s flat trajectory and telescopic sights created capabilities that wouldn’t be officially adopted until the Warner & Swasey Model 1908 sight on the Springfield 1903. This Krag represents the genesis of all U.S. military precision rifles that followed – the first tentative step toward what would become a crucial military capability.
Most of our POTDs utilize images from our friends at Rock Island Auction Company, the premier firearms auction in the United States. Take some time to browse their current auctions – who knows, maybe you’ll find a piece of history to take home!
“Documented U.S. Springfield 1898 Krag-Jorgensen Sniper Rifle.” Rock Island Auction, www.rockislandauction.com/detail/4095/199/documented-us-springfield-1898-krag-jorgensen-sniper-rifle. Accessed 12 Aug. 2025.
Writer | TheFirearmBlog
Writer | AllOutdoor.com Instagram | sfsgunsmith Old soul, certified gunsmith, published author, avid firearm history learner, and appreciator of old and unique guns.
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