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I just picked up what I thought was an original Krag carbine, at least the stock is. The serial number puts it at 1903 production run and the reciever is stamped model 1898. Could this be a real carbine or is it more likely a cut down rifle? It has the saddle ring bar, just no ring. And no hole for a ram rod.
Mike
I believe production of the 1898 carbine ceased with the introduction of the 1899 carbine. So 1903 serial range dosnt work. Poyer gives a serial # range for 98 carbines of 113,000 to 139,000 , with about 5000 produced. If its a 1903 serial range its probably a cut down. It could also be parted up with some original carbine parts. If the serial turns out to be in the 98 range you should start checking your other parts for correctness. That being said, im no expert. Good luck with the Krag.
I was not sure about this one but I did find out some more info from Brophys book, here it is.
I think it may in fact be a real carbine with a replace3ment barrel. The stock is 100% sure a carbine stock, the serial # is in line with Brophy's book info in that here is a section from hs book.
M1898 CARBINE 5000 MANUFACTURED
M1898 CONVERTED CARBINE 3000 MANUFACTURED
M1906//1899 CONVERTED CARBINE, PHILIPPINE CONSTABULARY 5002 MANUFACTURED, used the model 1899 action.
M1899 CARBINE FIRST MODEL, 1896 9000 MANUFACTURED, used the model 1896 action.
M1899 CARBINE SECOND MODEL, 1898 16000 MANUFACTURED, used the model 1898 action-this may be mine here.
M1899 CARBINE THIRD MODEL, 1901 2000 MANUFACTURED, used the model 1899.
This shows me that they used the model 1898 actions all the way up until the end of production.
Attachment 27435
The info I posted above is right out of Broph's book. It seems that they made over 29,000 carbines out of the model 1898 actions. The final run of the model 1899 carbines were completed useing the model 1896 actions and that is strange to me in a way. These last orders for carbines wee filled using what ever was left in stock I think. They knew the 1903 springfield was coming in as a rplacement but they also knew that no more carbines were to be made so they ordered what they could at the end of production.
Mike