My 1898 Krag - Is It A True Carbine?

[David Wile]

Hey folks,

In Post #4, Kragluver mentioned the carbine's front sight was stamped with a "C" which he thought the picture of my front sight seemed to show. I looked at the picture of my front sight, and I could not see any "C" marking. I did notice the pin through the post of the front sight, but I could not see and "C" stamping. So, I got my Krag and looked in bright light. I still could not see a "C", but I did notice something on the right side of the blade pinned in the larger post. I got my magnifying headpiece on to get a better look at the blade. Down where the blade goes into the sight post on the right side, there is a tiny marking that may just be a "C". If it is a "C" on the blade, it is really small, and it seems to be partially buried in the main sight post.

According to rear sight pictures posted in the Krag Collectors Association site, it would seem I have a 1902 rear sight. Their site pictures show 1898 and 1902 rear sights to be very similar with their rounded sides. The 1902 sight has a slot in its elevation wheel on the right side, and it seems to be what I have on my Krag. My graduations go from 2 to 20, and it seems the 1898 and 1902 rear sights also have the same graduations. It seems strange that the 1898 and 1902 rear sights seem almost identical except for the elevation knob, yet the 1901 rear sight is completely different. They used the rounded rear sight in 1898, then changed it completly for 1901, and then essentially went back to the rounded 1898 sight for 1902?

I know Kragluver suspected my Krag is a cut down 1898 rifle in a carbine stock, but if it was cut down, it sure was not done by someone in their garage. The barrel and front sight look like they were assembled in the Springfield Armory.

Trying to identify these things seems to be very daunting. I see some carbines with saddle rings, yet mine does not have a saddle ring. Then Kragluver informs us saddle rings were eliminated on 1899s and maybe 1898s. Of course, my 1898 was probably an 1899 by serial number date. Then Musketshooter tells us that 1899 carbines did not have sling swivels, and mine does have sling swivels and an old leather sling. As a counter to Musketshooter, Kragluver responds that information exists that would indicate that sling swivels may actually be correct on my 1898/1899 possible carbine. Whoever does this research work has a special talent and would probably be very good at geneology research. It is real tedious work, and I commend those who have done it and continue to do it.

In the case of my sling swivels, again I would point out that they were not simply screwed on by some back yard mechanic. The stock is very carefully inletted for a tight fit on the swivels, and again, it makes me think of Springfield Armory work.

Has anyone had any experience with the "12" (Picture 14) stamped on the bottom of the butt stock? It almost seems like a rack number for storage purposes, and I wonder if the Pennsylvania State Police may have made the stamping? Also, does anyone have any information on the stamping on the leather stock (Picture 15)? Thanks to all of you for your insight and comments on my Krag thus far.

Best wishes,
Dave Wile

Information

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[Badger]

Hey folks,

In Post #4, Kragluver mentioned the carbine's front sight was stamped with a "C" which he thought the picture of my front sight seemed to show. I looked at the picture of my front sight, and I could not see any "C" marking. I did notice the pin through the post of the front sight, but I could not see and "C" stamping. So, I got my Krag and looked in bright light. I still could not see a "C", but I did notice something on the right side of the blade pinned in the larger post. I got my magnifying headpiece on to get a better look at the blade. Down where the blade goes into the sight post on the right side, there is a tiny marking that may just be a "C". If it is a "C" on the blade, it is really small, and it seems to be partially buried in the main sight post.

Here David?

Attachment 8139
(Click PIC to Enlarge)

Regards,
Badger

[David Wile]

Hey Badger,

Yes sir. That is the only mark I thought might possible be a "C". As I started writing this response, I went and got my bigger magnifying head set and a brighter light. I think I can now say that the tiny little mark does look like a "C" even if it is very tiny as you circled on the picture. Is this the "C" to which Kragluver refers? If it is, would that not be more of an indication that the barreled action was originally made by Springfield Armory as a carbine? You know, I never would have noticed that mark, let alone guess that it was a "C", if it had not been mentioned by folks on this forum. Thanks to all.

Best wishes,
Dave Wile

[andiarisaka]

The 1898 and 1902 carbine rear sights have a lower ramp than the rifle models. Comes in handy for picking them out at a distance, or amongst a pile of other things. You can see the difference between the height of the ramp and the top of the elevation leaf.