Double Cartouche 1896 Krag Carbine?

[chuck in idaho]

Seeking information on a Krag oddity I came across a year or so ago.
This 1896 carbine (s/n 68851) has been struck with 2 cartouches. The cartouche on the left is dated "JSA/189?" The one on the right is dated "JSA/1898" and is slightly larger than the left one. There is only 1 Proof "P" on the wrist.
I know of 1 other 1896 carbine stamped like this and a 96c stock showed up on eBay last year stamped the same way.

If you know of others or have any information or theories on the reason for the double stampings, please let me know.

Thank you
chuck in idaho

Information

Warning: This is a relatively older thread This discussion is older than 360 days. Some information contained in it may no longer be current.

[andiarisaka]

The first one should be 1897. It could be that it went back to the arsenal after Cuba, before other refurbishment cartouches were put into use. From what I've read, many of them came back with metal in need of attention.

[chuck in idaho]

Agreed, the first one by the s/n would be 1897.
I have another `96 carbine s/n 33839 that is lettered to the 8th Cav in Cuba and was turned in for "wear & tear" for rebuild. It does not have the double cartouches but has a double "P" proof on the wrist. It would seem there would be more double cartouche stamped stocks with double "P" proofs around if that was the procedure when a piece was rebuilt. The stocks in question have only 1 proof firing stamp on them.
Just my thoughts because I don't sure have an answere!
Thanks
Chuck