Michagan Nat. Guard Model 1899 Remington-Lee Rifle In .30-40 Krag, C&R

SOLD FOR: $2,676.00

WOA#: WY240608JW001

Make: Remington

Model: 1899

Serial Number: 100690 (Number 690 of the Contract)

Year of Manufacture: 1898 to 1899

Caliber: .30-40 Krag

Action Type: Bolt action, 5 magazine

Markings: The receiver is marked with patent dates and, “REMINGTON ARMS Co. ILLION, N.Y. / 100690” The front barrel band is marked, “U” The stock is marked, “28” The buttplate is marked, “13” The barrel is marked, “.30 U.S.A.”

Barrel Length: 29”

Sights / Optics: The front sight is a blade pinned to a block set on the barrel. The rear sight is an adjustable flip up V-notch Ladder/Elevator marked out to 19.

Stock Configuration & Condition: The stock is a two piece wood set with a bayonet lug/cleaning rod, barrel band with sling loop, barrel band, sling loop, straight wrist, straight comb, and a steel buttplate. There are pressure dents and scratches throughout. There is a crack at the heel. There are no chips. The LOP measures 13.5” from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttplate. The stock rates in about Fine overall condition as a C&R.

Type of Finish: Blued

Finish Originality: Original

Bore Condition: The bore is gray and the rifling is sharp. There is moderate erosion in the bore and some stubborn fouling throughout. In this writer’s opinion, this bore rates 7.5/10.

Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 50% of its metal finish. There are scuffs and scratches throughout the metal surfaces. There is thinning and patina throughout. The receiver and bolt retain much of their finish. The action has moderate wear from use. The screw heads show moderate use. The markings are mostly clear. Overall, this rifle rates in about Fine condition as a C&R.

Mechanics: The action functions correctly. We did not fire this rifle. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance requirements.

Box, Paperwork & Accessories: Original leather parade sling, 5 round magazine.

Our Assessment: The Michigan National Guard Model 1899 Remington-Lee Rifle, chambered in .30-40 Krag, is a bolt-action rifle with a rich history tied to both the development of American military arms and the role of state militias in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Manufactured by Remington, the Model 1899 was part of the Remington-Lee series, a line of rifles designed by James Paris Lee, the inventor of the detachable box magazine. This rifle was used by the Michigan National Guard and other military units, serving as a transitional firearm between earlier single-shot rifles and more modern repeating arms. The .30-40 Krag cartridge, also known as the .30 Army, was the standard U.S. military cartridge during this period, providing a significant improvement in firepower compared to previous black powder rounds. It was a smokeless powder cartridge that offered relatively flat shooting and moderate recoil, making it effective for military applications. The Remington-Lee Model 1899’s chambering in this round aligned it with other rifles in service at the time, such as the Krag-Jørgensen, ensuring it could compete in terms of ballistics and firepower. One of the standout features of the Remington-Lee Model 1899 is its detachable box magazine, a revolutionary concept for military rifles at the time. Most bolt-action rifles of the late 19th century utilized internal or tubular magazines, but the Remington-Lee’s external, detachable magazine allowed soldiers to reload quickly and efficiently. This feature gave it an edge in terms of rate of fire and battlefield utility, even though it wasn’t adopted as widely as other contemporaneous designs like the Springfield or Krag-Jørgensen rifles. For the Michigan National Guard, the Model 1899 provided a reliable and modern firearm that was well-suited for both training and potential combat. While the rifle never saw widespread use in major conflicts, it was an important step in the evolution of bolt-action rifles in the United States. The Remington-Lee series, including the Model 1899, helped influence later rifle designs by showcasing the advantages of a detachable magazine and streamlined bolt-action mechanism.

Though overshadowed by more famous military rifles of its era, the Remington-Lee Model 1899 remains a fascinating example of late 19th-century firearms technology. Its use by the Michigan National Guard and its chambering in the powerful .30-40 Krag cartridge make it a valuable piece of American military history, reflecting the evolving needs of armed forces at the turn of the century. -R.E.

Michagan Nat. Guard Model 1899 Remington-Lee Rifle In .30-40 Krag, C&R
Michagan Nat. Guard Model 1899 Remington-Lee Rifle In .30-40 Krag, C&R