Originally Posted by
Dick Hosmer
Oddly enough, the trapdoor line-throwing guns are well documented, and a large contract for .45-70 blank ammo was issued to Winchester in 1943. They, however were simply a tool, not a weapon requiring a large supply of ammunition. They served well in that capacity. I have heard stories that .45-70 rifles were issued to at least a few backwater Coast Guard stations during WW2. Still have a hard time seeing Krags actually deployed on ships, but, it may have happened.
I have a full box of the 45-70 blank ammo, marked "For Line Throwing Guns" and headstamped WRA-43. When I acquired it (it was given to me), it was unopened. Unfortunately, I was young and uneducated about collectable military stuff, so I'm the one who opened the box. However, everything else is intact and the cartridges look pretty good! I've had it for more than 35 years.
"I was home... What happened? What the Hell Happened?" - MM1 Jacob Holman, USS San Pablo