The magazine cut-off was intended to be engaged during long-range fights, when soldiers were to use the rifle as a single shot and load one round at a time. Many officers still believed in volley fire, also.
1898 KRAG-JORGENSEN, SERIAL NUMBER: 300081, MANUFACTURED BY SPRINGFIELD. However, given its 1898 date of manufacture, this rifle was probably issued to the 10th after their return from Cuba. THERE IS NO CARTOUCHE/DATE ON THE WRIST OF THE STOCK, BUT ITS QUITE OBVIOUS. That regiment was called up and saw service in Cuba, during the Spanish-American War.
The Army was just getting used to the idea of repeating rifles and was afraid a bolt action would encourage soldiers to waste ammunition, causing supply problems. Bright, shiny bore A historical records check shows that it was issued to Company I of the 10th Regiment of the Ohio Volunteer Infantry. Interestingly enough, the Springfield Krags had a magazine cutoff lever on the left side of the receiver. A rotary lever inside cycled the ammunition. You opened the lid, dropped in five cartridges, and shut it. The Krag-Jørgensen loaded by means of a box, almost a hopper, on the right side of the receiver. It served in the Spanish American War, Philippine Insurrection and the Boxer Rebellion. Produced by the Springfield Armory as the 1892 Springfield, the Krag-Jørgensen was made in several rifle and carbine variants over the next decade. The Army wanted a bolt action to replace the trapdoor Springfield, and the winner out more than 40 entrants was the Krag-Jørgensen from Norway. troops during the Philippine-American War. Army held trials to find a new service rifle. The Model 1898 Krag, while late for service in Cuba, did see action in the hands of U.S.