Your TR Source
President Roosevelt thinks the weapons are beautiful, but the .405s might shoot too high. He also requests more ammunition.
Buffalo Bill Center of the West
1908-12-05
I. L. Lippencott responds to President Roosevelt’s issues with the guns. By measurement, the Winchester is the same length as the government rifle. However, the Winchester under lever requires a longer reach than the government rifle. They will also open up the sights on the Winchester.
Buffalo Bill Center of the West
1908-10-17
President Roosevelt would like to try the guns as soon as possible. He is going on a hunting trip where there will be a comparison between American repeaters and English rifles.
Buffalo Bill Center of the West
1908-10-15
Theodore Roosevelt is returning the two rifles. The stock of the Winchester is a little longer than the stock of the government rifle. The sights of the Winchester also “do not seem as distinct as those of the Springfield.”
Buffalo Bill Center of the West
1908-10-14
President Roosevelt’s concerns about gun sights and cleaning material for the guns will be addressed.
Buffalo Bill Center of the West
1908-09-25
The Winchester Repeating Arms Company addresses Theodore Roosevelt’s complaints about the guns they sent. The sights were put on temporarily to be used when testing the special ammunition. When the guns are given the extra thick pads, they will also be the dimensions Roosevelt requested. They will also get ivory sights stained “a little pink” for Roosevelt. Remaking the stocks will cause a delay of three weeks in gun delivery.
Buffalo Bill Center of the West
1908-09-21
William Loeb reminds the Winchester Company that the government rifle shoots a little low, so the company should remember that when sighting the other rifles. President Roosevelt would also like red gun grease, red gun oil, red rust remover, and red crystal cleaner, when the other rifles are sent.
Buffalo Bill Center of the West
1908-09-21
Theodore Roosevelt is annoyed at the condition of the rifles sent by the Winchester Company. His issues focus on the sights of the guns, the thickness of the stocks, the number of cartridges in the magazine, and the metal bead on the three front sights. He would also like a half dozen cleaners for each type of rifle.
Buffalo Bill Center of the West
1908-09-16
President Roosevelt would like to verify details for shipping the ammunition to Mombasa. He will be in Africa about eleven months and hunting half the time. He also emphasizes the importance of using American made guns, over English rifles. He also inquires about carrying spare sights and gun pieces.
Buffalo Bill Center of the West
1908-08-10
Theodore Roosevelt is annoyed at the condition of the rifles sent by the Winchester Company. Roosevelt plans to send them his government rifle, so they can see the stocks and sights he uses. He emphasizes the importance of copying the rear sight and stocks of the government rifle. Roosevelt would also like a “small light pink ivory bead” substituted for the metal bead on the three front sights.
Buffalo Bill Center of the West
1906-09-16
Henry Clay Taylor reports to President Roosevelt that the United States Navy is improving its marksmanship but remains inferior to Germany. He hopes that German style fire control exercises will be put in place during the winter. The Bureau of Ordnance is preparing the new sights needed for these exercises. Taylor suggests that a General Staff could help improve efficiency. He encloses a memorandum from Lieutenant Commander Sims regarding these issues.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1903-09-29
Inefficient ships and defective sights would place the United States Navy at a disadvantage against the German Navy. Personnel and ordnance are satisfactory but defective sights prevent effective control of gunfire.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1903-09-29
President Bennett of the Winchester Repeating Arms Company has noted President Roosevelt’s requests regarding alterations to his firearms. He requests further information on how much of the front sight bead should be removed from the Luger carbine.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1902-08-12