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Exceedingly Rare Experimental U.S. Springfield Krag-Jorgenson Model 1898 Rifle with Parkhurst-Zalinski Index Attachment, an Early Cartridge Counting Device
projects, and can either be readily seen or felt: in other words
as long as the
ts of
AS DESCRIBED IN THE BOOK THE KRAG RIFLE BY BROPHY
LOT 1230
Incredibly Rare U.S. Springfield Armory Krag-Jorgensen Model 1898 Bolt Action Rifle with Experimental Parkhurst- Zalinski Index Attachment - Serial no. 123792, 30 ARMY (30-40) cal., 30 inch round bbl., blue/casehardened finish, walnut stock.
An incredibly rare example of a Krag-Jorgensen Model 1898 bolt action rifle equipped with an experimental Parkhurst-Zalinski
index attachment, as described on pages 198-200 of “The Krag Rifle” by Lt. Col. William S. Brophy in which it states, “At least two prototype examples of a clever modification to the Krag exist. These inventor’s models have a system incorporated into the receiver
that indicates the number of cartridges in the magazine and also
whether a cartridge is in the chamber... Co-invented by [Edward
G.] Parkhurst (inventor of clip-loading device) and Captain E. K.
Zalinski [L. is the correct middle initial], U.S.A. Retired. It appears
from correspondence authored by Captain Zalinski that he tried to
interest the Navy, through Admiral Charles O’Neil, in modifying the
Krags in Navy service with both the Parkhurst clip-loading device
and the Zalinski-Parkhurst index device.” A memorandum about
the index attachment, written in 1901 by Zalinski and addressed to
O’Neil, states, “It is desirable for the soldier to be able to ascertain
or to know whether a cartridge is in the barrel of the rifle and
approximately the number of cartridges in the magazine. To this
end, the attachment as shown in rifle sent herewith, could be
applied without much additional cost. The index finger on the right hand side points at numerals which show the number of cartridges in the magazine. It is of such nature that, even in the dark, the soldier can tell approximately by feeling the number of cartridges
in the magazine. It is defective however, in that the finger will not show when the last cartridge is still resting in the magazine. This defect is provided for by a pin on the left hand side, which projects as long as there are one or more cartridges in the magazine. Should it alone be desired to indicate the presence of cartridges, in reserve in the magazine, without reference to numbers, this side pin would serve by itself and the index finger on the right be omitted. To show the presence of the cartridge in the gun barrel, there is a projecting piece on top of the flat ejector spring, which does not project when a cartridge is in the barrel. As soon, however, as the barrel is without a cartridge, this
cartridge is in
the magazine the
upper surface of
the bolt is smooth,
and vice versa.”
Army Captain
Edmund Louis Gray
Zalinski is credited
with numerous
artillery-related
inventions and
patents. Edward G. Parkhurst is credited
with previous patents relating to improvemen
the Gardner machine gun during his employment
at Pratt & Whitney, as well as improvements and patents in machinery. Features of the rifle include a blade front and 1,800 yard M1896 folding ladder rear sight, oil-quenched receiver, blue finished barrel and barrel bands, nitre blue extractor, bright bolt with knurled cocking piece, smooth straight grip stock with grasping grooves, “NO. 3” marked with punch letters ahead of the trigger guard, “97” above a circled script “P” proof mark behind the trigger guard, boxed script “JSA/1898” inspection cartouche marked on the left side of the wrist, “PARKHURST-ZALINSKI/INDEX ATTACHMENT/FEB. 1901” marked with punch letters on the right of the buttstock, and a smooth, blue steel trapdoor buttplate containing a three-piece cleaning rod and oiler. “GDM” (George D. Moller) collection initials marked at the toe of the stock. Includes an 1898 dated M1892 bayonet, type IV metal scabbard, brass muzzle cap, and period leather sling.
CONDITION: Exceptionally fine, retaining 85% plus bright original blue finish with very light muzzle wear, light wear with brown patina on the buttplate, high polish refinished middle barrel band, and some light flaking on the trigger guard. Stock is excellent with attractive wood grains and color, some light handling marks, defined grasping grooves, and crisp markings overall. Mechanically excellent. Included bayonet is excellent and scabbard is very fine. This is the only Parkhurst-Zalinski equipped Krag rifle to ever be sold by Rock Island Auction and is as rare as it gets in terms of
advanced U.S. Military rifles!
Provenance: The George Moller Collection.
Estimate: 6,500 - 11,000
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