These stories first appeared in Hunt's Book of Weapons, an in-game collection of found documents curated by an unknown researcher. They are replicated here in their original format. This means that many of the stories are not presented chronologically, or in one grouping, and it is left to the reader to put together the puzzle pieces and determine to what extent they contain fact, fiction, or fable.
Prior to the launch of Hunt: Showdown 1896, this weapon was named the Springfield M1892. Our Variant terminology has since been simplified. We have updated the names where relevant, but you may still see the more period accurate names within the lore texts.
+++
Krag
SPRINGFIELD M1892 KRAG (See also, RIFLES) The Springfield
M1892 Krag is a repeating bolt-action rifle that is known for its smooth and
easy-to-use bolt action, as well as for its magazine, which was considered both
an advantage and a disadvantage. Although most other contemporary rifles
featured a top-loading magazine that allowed for the use of stripper clips, the
receiver positioned on the side of Springfield M1892 Krags required the
cartridges to be loaded individually.
In 1892, the U.S. military held a competition to compare
more than fifty renowned rifles used around the globe, after which they adopted
the Springfield M1892 Krag. Despite its unconventional receiver, the
flexibility it offered in terms of reloading made this a great service rifle
for the army. The U.S. Military then modified the rifle and its components for
.30-40 Krag cartridges, which were the first smokeless powder cartridges issued
by the army to that date.
+++
Reports on the Pelican Island Prison Incident
Content: Pages Recovered from Jack Marwick's Journal
Handwritten, 4" x 6"
Severely damaged, almost indecipherable
August 9, 1894
We arrived at DeSalle last night, or in the morning, I can't
remember, nor do I want to. We noticed armed men and women moving in mud
carefully, looking for something—or someone. I ordered Candice to be quiet, it
was her first encounter with the outlaws of Louisiana. We didn't know what to
expect, but I must admit, she's a natural. It felt as if I was the one
following her lead. It wasn't long before the crackle of gunfire filled the
night. One of them landing face down on a porch, others shooting at someone
hiding behind an overthrown cart. Before they could even realize our presence,
Candice fired, and another one hit the mud. I shot then too. It was quick, and
as we approached the bodies of the outlaws, whoever was hiding behind the cart
came out. A sheriff, name is Hardin, a tough feller, and smart—smart enough to
see through someone, and we hated each other at first sight. But now he owes
us. I reckon he will be a very resourceful ally, if we play our cards right.
TEXT INDECIPHERABLE
August 22, 1894
The prisoners are eager to tear Jabez apart. That half-wit
Curtis let that prisoner take his pistol, let him blow his brains out. Now
prisoners think Curtis killed him. And that narcissistic pinhead is still in
the basement, dumping corpses into the sewers as if nothing is going on. I told
him if anyone came near the prison they'd notice the smell first, and soon
Hardin and Candice would come knocking.
I will warn the guards about a potential riot; hopefully,
I'm wrong for once in my life, and we don't have to dump even more bodies into
the sewers.
August 23, 1894
Those savages hung Curtis. They took him to the courtyard
with a rope, tied it around his neck, and threw him over the railings. He
didn't even fight back. Poor bastard must have thought he had deserved this.
But no one deserves to be left hanging over a cursed prison courtyard.
This is not good. I managed to cover Jabez's filth till now; despite his arrogance, despite the letters from New York. But not even I can cover this up, it's done, and the bastard is gone. My fortune is lost before I earned it. Damn this place and him, wherever in Hell he is hiding now. If anyone finds this journal, let everyone know that –
TEXT INDESCIPHERABLE
+++
Records, Pelican Island Prison
Handwritten letter found abandoned outside the prison
Author: Handwriting match for Solomon Jabez
Date: August 23, 1894
To Dr. Philip Huff Jones,
I write this in haste in the early hours of the morning.
Pelican Island has been compromised and lost to the inmates. These fools do not
realize that they were the foundation of scientific breakthroughs that would
revolutionize the world. Will some of them die in that pursuit? Will some of
them experience pain and discomfort? Of course, but their contributions would
have been essential to stop whatever is happening in Louisiana.
It seems that the death of No. 47 was a major factor in
breaking the ego dissolution I had so carefully crafted at this site. It almost happened too quickly to comprehend;
we were fetching another inmate for conditioning when he became irrational.
They've somehow been plotting, and before any of my men could organize
themselves the inmate meant for conditioning had beat Smith's face in with a
Krag. It was chaos after that.
I am about to leave the prison, and if I have to go via the
sewers and use every failed experiment as a steppingstone, so be it. The site
is compromised, and I will not sacrifice my life for things who don't know
their place. Let them rebel and “take" their freedom. What awaits them outside
these walls is a hell we were trying to prepare them for. No matter, let them
bleed out in the mud. We can always try again.
I will write again when I am back in a secure location, then
we can further discuss next steps.
Krag Incendiary Ammo
RN: The more that comes to light about the prison, what goes
on there, the more it begs the question: were the perpetrators under a malign
influence, or did they create one? Could it have been that in their
experiments, they ignited something they couldn't put out?
Krag FMJ Ammo
RN: With how things transpired here, it's no wonder that so
little of what happened here ever came to light—that the cover up worked. The
corruption was not just of the body, but of the spirit. Virtues and values
would be strewn like autumn leaves in the wind. Lead investigators turned
collaborators.
Krag Bayonet
SPRINGFIELD M1892 KRAG BAYONET (See also, RIFLES) The
Springfield M1892 Krag is a repeating bolt-action rifle with a side-loading
magazine. To combine the modern magazine with a classical bayonet was an
obvious but exceptionally effective evolution, as it made for a fast-loading
rifle that could fend off nearby attackers easily.
+++
Records, Pelican Island Prison
Handwritten paper found abandoned outside the prison
Author: Unknown
I have done my duty. Now I can only pray a Rosary for the
safe escape of Doctor Jabez, that he may send swift help from his many allies. As
for myself, time runs short. My only salvation is the incompetence of these
brigands' revolt. Unsurprisingly, these inmates cannot even riot properly. They
lined my fellow guards up against a wall and demanded I transcribe their
painful desecration of a court trial, but I will not participate in their
mockery. Even if any of these wretches ever had the capacity to read, I imagine
it was lost long ago.
I am proven astute by watching them attempt to load pistol
ammunition into their Springfields. Perhaps I could feel sorry for the poor
souls if they weren't planning to bury the bullets in mine and my friends'
skulls. As I write, I see the fear in the eyes of those noble, loyal friends.
Then I turn to see madness in the eyes of those we sheltered—madness that can
only be sated with blood. I fear they shall find a most excruciating
alternative method of execution.
The Lord will deliver us, however. I have fed my family and
guarded this honorable institution. Our blessed work here has helped so many,
and I have protected these inmates from a far worse fate. Heaven knows what sad
havoc they would wreak if given freedom. One of them now affixes a knife to
their rifle. A crude bayonet, and all the more painful for it. But my hands do
God's work, and He shall protect His flock. This is not my final Amen.
Krag Sniper
SPRINGFIELD M1892 KRAG SNIPER (See also, RIFLES) Thanks to
its side-loading magazine, the effectiveness of the original Springfield M1892
Krag was unquestionable, and was only enhanced with the addition of a sniper
scope attached to its barrel. The fast reloading combined with long-range
efficiency made this rifle a great choice for those who prefer to stay out of
sight and range of their prey.
+++
Journal page found in the woods near Scupper Lake
Handwritten, torn, water damaged
Author unknown
May 4, 1895
Haven't had any luck hunting. I hear gunshots every second.
Other Hunters, I reckoned at first. Then I saw a man blast another's head with
a shotgun. I retched at the sight, and when I looked again, the man was gone,
leaving the corpse behind. I'm not sure if I'll ever find game here. It's
getting dark. I will wait for a quiet moment and escape. Should've listened to
Ma.
May 5, 1895
Lord, this place is cursed, I shouldn't have come here. I wish I could forget last night.
I was scanning the riverbank through the scope of my Krag when I spotted two old ladies with hunched backs dragging a wheelbarrow. Their long, grey hair reached their knees, and their faces were hidden under the hoods of their dark gowns. The wheel squeaked in the quiet of the night. When I noticed what they were carrying in the bed of their wheelbarrow, it terrified me. There were human limbs, split heads, innards cut into smaller pieces. I remembered the butcher's story of two old women asking for discarded meat to feed gators, back in the day. The women slowly approached the man that got killed yesterday. I shivered as they severed his limbs, putting the pieces into the wheelbarrow. After, they moved to the edge of the river, where the water started bubbling. Then they threw the pieces in while they sang an off-key lullaby. The water started moving even more aggressively under the floating meat. Maggot-like creatures emerged. In only a few seconds, the surface of the river was covered with bright red foam.
+++