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President Roosevelt confirms receipt of rifles from the Winchester Repeating Arms Company. He thinks, however, that the rifles may shoot a bit high, and suggests that this could be fixed by adjusting the rear sight. Roosevelt will try the rifles again before any changes are made, and in the meantime orders several boxes of ammunition.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-12-05
President Roosevelt tells Reverend Rainsford that he intends to take only American rifles on his hunting trip to Africa. However, if Rainsford would like to lend him the Rigby and Mannlicher rifles with telescopic sites, he can send them to Frederick John Jackson, to Alfred E. Pease’s ranch, or leave them with Smith, Mackenzie & Company at Mombasa.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-10-26
President Roosevelt asks Assistant Chief of Ordnance Dickson to replace the sight on his rifle and test it on the range. He would also like some marks added to the rifle so if either sight shifts he will know where to move it back to, and will be able to fix it himself. Roosevelt asks if this should be done for all military rifles as well, because of the chance of accidents occurring after rough handling of the guns.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-03-14
President Roosevelt will take Ambassador Sternburg up on his offer and have him send the Mauser rifle telescope for him to try when he returns from his hunting trip.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-03-15
The rifle is a “little beauty” and President Roosevelt appreciates the trouble General Crozier has taken. Roosevelt sends his thanks to Colonel Phipps for his workmanship and R. T. Hare for sighting the rifle. He also requested a custom case and cartridges.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-02-06
George Bird Grinnell gives Theodore Roosevelt information about telescopic rifle sights. Grinnell has never used a telescope rifle sight and does not recall any big game hunter of his acquaintance using one.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1915-09-07
Edward North Buxton writes to President Roosevelt regarding the sights of rifles that Roosevelt will bring on his safari. Buxton worries that some sights may be too glaring in the sunlight, and therefore sends an option of a darker sight, as well as lamp black should Roosevelt wish to darken the sights further. He also remarks upon the fastening mechanism, which he worries may come loose through careless transportation, and has instructed the ordinary screwhead to be replaced with one that can only be loosened with a tool.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-12-29
Theodore Roosevelt has sent over his Winchester rifle, so William Crozier can have one of the new Springfield carbines made like it. Roosevelt would like the sights reproduced exactly and the butt of the gun should be one inch shorter.
Buffalo Bill Center of the West
1903-11-17
Theodore Roosevelt would like a .22 rifle with a peep sight and 1,000 cartridges charged to his account, and sent to Alfred E. Pease. Roosevelt has done well with the .405 against lions, giraffes, and other game. Includes handwritten original and typed copy.
Buffalo Bill Center of the West
1909-05-12
President Roosevelt is pleased with the rifle sights after working with the representative from the Winchester Repeating Arms Company. He gives additional directions for packing the guns for transport on the steamer to Africa and would like additional cartridges sent along to Mombasa.
Buffalo Bill Center of the West
1908-12-31