Krag Carbine Help..........(Pics)

[chuck in idaho]

Yes, that information applys to your carbine. Model 1896 receivers were stamped "1895" "1896" and "MODEL 1896" They were all considered MODEL 1896 Krags.

Chuck

[wayne10]

George, buy the gun. There are also other ways to gain information on that weapon.

Wayne

[5MadFarmers]

The stock and cartouche date look OK too me for the serial number range.
(5MF, am I missing something?)

Chuck

No, I was taking retarded pills yesterday. I see they were effective.

So the FY95-96 Chief of Ordnance report states that 7,111 magazine carbines were made "during the year ended June 30, 1896" [pg13]

The Springfield Armory report states that "The first issue of the carbines was made on the 10th of March preceding" [Arsenal of Freedom, Brophy, pg74]

So let's say that 7,111 carbine were made between the beginning of March and June 30 of 1896.

#24,685 is an early early 1896 carbine.
#35,594 is a late early 1896 carbine.

(there are also late early 1896 carbines and late late 1896 carbines).

Springfield reports 2,930 carbines (late early) were made in 96-97 (Brophy -pg83)

So 7,111 + 2,930 = 10041
35594-24685 = 10909

So our observed range is greater than the production range. Not a big deal as the receivers were out of order and thus rifles will be in there too; regardless, I think the range is pretty well known.

The carbine here is 28026. That would be maybe June of 1896.

24685 + 7111 = 31796

Lose a few due to our overages so I'll say maybe 31500 is June 31, 1896.

So June 1896.

Incidentally, there really shouldn't be any 1896 carbines with 1895 cartouches right? If the cartouches are calendar year, and March is our starting point....

June of 1896. Perhaps that makes up for my retarded pill information yesterday.

Buy the gun.

[target-panic]

I now own this Carbine......

I made the purchase tonight !!! He is going to dig out all of his Grandfather's old "Service Papers" and Spanish American War Medals & give me copies and photos. I'll post updates as I find out more information.

Two weeks ago I didn't know a Krag from a hole in the ground........I still don't, but I know a hell of a lot more than when I started.

By the way........I measured the barrel as Chuck suggested and it's exactly 22", I checked the front sight and there is no silver solder of any kind, just blue on blue, and I checked under the trapdoor in the butt plate, and there is a single round hole, with three small holes drilled in the far end.

Thanks to everyone who helped me out ..........The internet and these forums really allow a sharing of knowledge that really wasn't possible in the past........and in my case sparked a new interest.

[5MadFarmers]

Congrats!

Rock Island's September Premier catalogues just arrived today. Page 259 of book two has serial 28,645. Pretty close to your new rifle. The lots are probably up in the online catalogue, if not they will be. Lot #3513.

Again, congrats.

[m1903rifle]

Is it possible for the 1892 bolt to be correct for this carbine since it is one of the early ones?

[chuck in idaho]

Glad the deal worked out. Now the interesting part begins, researching the history that goes along with that carbine. Please keep us updated.
Chuck

[sdkrag]

I would not be too concerned about the bolt. It is an early bolt body and the follower has the square shoulder. Just try to find one if you need it. A little research will tell if these parts are too far out of production change ranges. Still very desireable parts for any Krag collector. Looks to be a very nice carbine. All it really needs is a saddle ring and a trip to a range.

[chuck in idaho]

M1903 rifle,
That's a good question, possibly but not likely. There were already 3300+ or so carbines made by the time s/n 28026 was made. The M92 bolt more than likely was a replacement for who knows why sometime during the carbines life.
just my thoughts
cii

[5MadFarmers]

Is it possible for the 1892 bolt to be correct for this carbine since it is one of the early ones?

Not likely.

The knurling on the bolts was stopped on June 15th of 1895. A year is a long long time.

All the 1896 carbines earlier than that in my database have straight 1896 bolts. Note that the carbine in this thread has the extractor screw still also. Well, it's pretty much all 1892 bits.

I noted the trigger hung in early 1892 style. Another look at the pictures confirms that it has the early cocking piece.

That bolt is worth more than the "correct" 1896 would be. If you trade that bolt for an 1896, you should also receive some cash. It has some rare 1892 parts.

25K 1892s
80K 1896s.

Math works in your favor. Especially given that they rebuilt most of the 1892s and changed the bolts out. 1892 bolts are rare, 1896 bolts are not.

Cheers.