SRS 1896 Krag Carbine

[butlersrangers]

My speculation about the 'engraving' being a property/evidence number is an educated guess, but, not the only possibility.

I have a nice model 1898 Krag rifle that had a previous owner's Social Security # 'electro-penciled' on the Magazine-Gate.
(Marking valuables with the owner's Social Security Numbers was a brief fad in the 1970's, so Police could identify and return stolen property).

Fortunately, the magazine-gate was easily replaced.

Strange things get done to firearms over the years. Usually, we can only scratch our heads and guess.

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[LTPayton88]

My speculation about the 'engraving' being a property/evidence number is an educated guess, but, not the only possibility.

I have a nice model 1898 Krag rifle that had a previous owner's Social Security # 'electro-penciled' on the Magazine-Gate.
(Marking valuables with the owner's Social Security Numbers was a brief fad in the 1970's, so Police could identify and return stolen property).

Fortunately, the magazine-gate was easily replaced.

Strange things get done to firearms over the years. Usually, we can only scratch our heads and guess.

Well that makes more sense. Now that you say that this rifle has what looks like a social electo penciled on the buttstock.

---------- Post added at 11:37 PM ---------- Previous post was at 11:33 PM ----------

Understand that evidence numbers doesn't mean it was used in a crime. Why would it when so many others are available? The owner could have been arrested for any number of charges from parking tickets to assault. One of the first questions officers ask is "are there any firearms in the house?" Everything is generally confiscated and it's up to the owner to try to get it back. If they don't or can't it will go up for sale depending on the municipality. Some will just destroy them. Thankfully for you that didn't happen. Ignore the numbers and enjoy the rifle.

Oh I love this rifle. I shoot it fairly often. I was just intrigued on what they were and thank you for your insight.

[butlersrangers]

'LTPayton88' - I don't believe anyone has asked: How high do the numbers go on the leaf of your rear-sight?

FWIW - Model 1896 rifle rear-sights go to 18, (1,800 yards).

Model 1896 carbine rear-sights go to 20, (2,000 yards).

The carbine version has a small 'C' at the top of the leaf and on the right-side of the base.

The rifle sight sells for around $60. The carbine version sells for about ten times that, $500 and up!

Many carbines have had their original rear-sights 'looted' and replaced with a more common rifle sight, by low life entrepreneurs.

I hope your Krag still has its original carbine sight.

[LTPayton88]

'LTPayton88' - I don't believe anyone has asked: How high do the numbers go on the leaf of your rear-sight?

FWIW - Model 1896 rifle rear-sights go to 18, (1,800 yards).

Model 1896 carbine rear-sights go to 20, (2,000 yards).

The carbine version has a small 'C' at the top of the leaf and on the right-side of the base.

The rifle sight sells for around $60. The carbine version sells for about ten times that, $500 and up!

Many carbines have had their original rear-sights 'looted' and replaced with a more common rifle sight, by low life entrepreneurs.

I hope your Krag still has its original carbine sight.

Mine has a rifle sight on it. It had a carbine sight originally but the guy I bought it off of bought the rifle originally for the rear sight to put on his and make it correct. So now it is sitting with a rifle sight.

[butlersrangers]

The prior owner was honest about it.

Sometimes you have to rob Peter to pay Paul - when restoring Krags.

[LTPayton88]

The prior owner was honest about it.

Sometimes you have to rob Peter to pay Paul - when restoring Krags.

Yea the previous owner is a good friend of mine.