Krag Rifle Identification Help

[butlersrangers]

'polandaj' - Thanks for responding about your "1894" marked receiver. The 'notch' was done at Springfield Armory during a 'program' to update early rifles to a model 1896 configuration. This happened in 1897 and 1902, (if I recall correctly). The receivers required 'local' annealing in the area where the hold-open 'notch' was cut, so the work was done at the Armory.

IMHO -You have a nice looking representation of a model 1896 "Carbine", put in a correct carbine stock.

Your receiver, #58783, was likely once part of a rifle, assembled around March, 1897.
This serial number is not in a known range for model 1896 carbines.

Your rear-sight is a model 1896 rifle sight. The leaf is only calibrated to '18' (1,800 yards). The carbine sight is similar, but, has "C" markings on the base and leaf. The carbine leaf is calibrated to '20' (2,000 yards).

(A correct 1896 carbine rear-sight sells for over $500, by itself).

I hope you were not taken advantage of on the "carbine".

Information

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[polandaj]

IMHO -You have a nice looking representation of a model 1896 "Carbine", put in a correct carbine stock.

Your receiver, #58783, was likely once part of a rifle, assembled around March, 1897.
This serial number is not in a known range for model 1896 carbines.

Good info to know! Would it be likely the original rifle barrel was cut down or were these ever re-barreled/converted by arsenals to carbines (where the rifle rear sight was simply left on)?

Or is that something that's really only done by individuals in the civilian world? The front sight looks like an original but I suppose that could have been reinstalled. Maybe a better question is: would the most likely scenario here be that someone quite some time ago got ahold of the correct pattern 1896 carbine stock, had the rifle barrel cut down to 22", had the front sight moved and essentially copied the carbine configuration, minus the rear sight of course?

[butlersrangers]

'polandaj' - A clear well focused picture of your front-sight and muzzle crown area would tell a lot about your barrel's origin.

There were almost 30 manufacturing operations or steps in the making of a U.S. Krag barrel.

The 15th operation was the machining of a dovetail and the bronze brazing of a 'lug' that would eventually become the front-sight base.

This 'lug' was a manufacturing reference point and helped position the unfinished Krag barrel for rifling, outside-contouring, rear-sight hole positioning, and barrel-thread timing.

At first glance, a Krag front-sight base appears 'at one' with the barrel steel. On close examination, a faint bronze colored seam can be seen.
Springfield Armory did a fine job with the Krag front sights and this discrete bronze 'outline' is often hidden by oxidation, patina, and crud.

The original muzzle-crown contour of Krag carbine and rifle barrels is seldom duplicated on cut-down barrels.

Krag carbine barrels are exactly 22 inches long, when measured from the muzzle to the (closed) Bolt-Face with a cleaning rod.

There was a time when lots of spare Krag parts were available on the civilian market. Dealers and hobbyists could put together rather convincing 'parts carbines'. This may have been done just to provide a useful gun for hunting, shooting, or display.

Of course, there have always been fakers who assembled bogus carbines for profit!

Springfield Armory did not put 1896 rifle sights on carbines or cut down rifle barrels to make model 1896 carbines.

Attached photos with arrows to show front-base seam.

Attachment 111987Attachment 111988

[polandaj]

A clear well focused picture of your front-sight and muzzle crown area would tell a lot about your barrel's origin.

Snapped some photos that hopefully help. There is a curvature to the barrel crown, making the crown it slightly recessed. I measured the barrel with the cleaning rod against the bolt face (with bolt closed as you suggested) and it's right on 22". If it's off, it's off by less than 1/32".

There are also what look like some tool marks on the barrel under the handguard - perhaps a sign of a person that installed a new barrel but "bit" into the metal while doing so, or didn't care if they marred it up since it's covered.

Attachment 111996Attachment 111995Attachment 111994Attachment 111993Attachment 112000Attachment 111999Attachment 111998Attachment 111997