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I've had this early Krag for a while and would like to know a little more about it.
It's serial # 8541. I think it has been updated to the 1896 specs, but would like to have those that know have a look. The pictures are a little dark, let me know if any others are needed. Is the sling right?
Thanks,
Ruff
Here are a few more pictures.
The sling is one of the ones made from two pieces instead of one long piece, easier to do because the others would take the prime piece out of a hide and two pieces together were cheaper...was my understanding... Looks right. Nice rifle...Quote:
Originally Posted by Ruffasacob
No inspection cartouche on the stock? A later stock?
Last five.
The only mark I see on the stock is a small "2" right behind the trigger guard.
How is the bore?
The bore is excellent.
'Ruffasacob' - Interesting 1894 dated Krag-Jorgesen. It is not a 'model 1892 updated to model 1896', because your early receiver has not been 'notched' for the 'hold open' pin, your barrel's muzzle has its original 'flat' crown (not rounded), and the front-sight blade looks like it might be the original type.
Your bolt & extractor is not correct for a model 1892 rifle. It appears to be a model 1896 or 1898 bolt. Your stock appears to be a model 1896 field replacement, (it does not appear to have a 'filled' Wiping-Rod groove). Your Hand-Guard is not the early type. Butt-plate and front barrel-band are 1896 or later. (Your bolt should have an extractor without a 'hold open' pin). Your rifle's original stock had a 'flat' butt-plate, slender wrist, and full length Wiping Rod.
Your rifle is a mixture of early and later parts. There are some Krags, between the model 1892 and 1896, showing some improvements that some collectors now label "Magazine Rifles". I don't know the full criteria for these variants. (I don't think your parts combination is one of these Armory produced variations).
Your receiver and barrel are especially interesting and have value for someone restoring or building an early model 1892 Krag. (Un-notched receivers and 'flat muzzled barrels' are rare to find).
It looks a nice rifle I's be happy with it, the thing is when you look at the DOM and what went on in the world with conflicts large and small its a wonder any of them even remotely stayed together with their original as issued parts especially given the attrition rates and breakages along the way's.
Thanks for replies. And thanks br, very interesting information.
Do others think the sling is right time period??
Looks like a real Krag sling to me...
It is a U.S. Krag sling. How long is it?
A lot of Trapdoor Springfield and Krag-Jorgensen slings were made by splicing sections of U.S. Civil War slings together. Your splice looks correct for one of these slings.
The early Krag slings usually run 64 and 1/2 inches to 66 and 1/2 inches in length.
In the early 1900's (1903 & 1904 IIRC) shorter, less bulky, versions of the sling appear.
Krag slings were in use as late as WW1. (U.S. Engineers in London, 1917).
Attachment 93103
The original caption for that photos was to the effect of "These husky US troops are waiting to move to the front, then a statement about noting their Springfields piled... Always liked that pic showing the US troops deploying with Krag rifles. Wish we knew exactly where they are standing.
Whitehall in London, England, I think.
U.S. Krags are marked "Springfield Armory". A Brit calling the stacked rifles Springfields is understandable.
Yes, even the old guys called them "Springfields", the 1903s too...Quote:
Originally Posted by butlersrangers
I took the sling off and measured it. It's 70" long and it is spliced.
There was a name hand written on it that is hard to read, but could be Woodman.
Take a look at my trapdoor sling. Does that look original?
It is one piece without a splice.
Thanks
Your new 70 inch sling is probably intended for the Trapdoor Springfield.
How long is the one-piece sling that is now on your trapdoor?
But wasn't that the thing? They were trapdoor slings that came straight across to the Krag rifle, next rifle get's the leftovers. The original cartridge belts were exactly the same pattern as the trapdoor too...Quote:
Originally Posted by butlersrangers
Size matters!
OP's sling may be intended for the Krag. It looks good on his rifle and seems to be 'tensioned', but, the 70 inch length seems unusually long to me. Krag slings are often 62 and 1/2 or 64 and 1/2 inches long.
FWIW - The sling swivels on a model 1873 Springfield ('Trapdoor') are approximately 28 and 1/2 inches apart. The sling swivels on a U.S. Krag are approximately 24 inches apart.
Slings intended for the 1873 Springfield and the Krag were of identical construction, often made from spliced together CW sling sections, and with one two-pronged brass hook. The total length of the slings were likely different.
I have a reproduction sling (model 1887) that is 76 inches long. It can be tensioned properly on a model 1873 Springfield, but, it is too long to work properly and be tensioned on a Krag.
(p.s. .45-70 and .30-40 Mills cartridge belts may look similar, but, there is a difference in the size of their cartridge loops).
Attachment 93155Attachment 93156
Thanks for the replies. The TD sling is 69". When I measure, I'm going from the very tip of the brass stud end to the very tip of the hooks.
Yes, for sure. They just look the same, same pattern.Quote:
Originally Posted by butlersrangers