Krag Rifle Identification Help

[polandaj]

New to Krag rifles but did some research. Any identification help would be much appreciated.

From what I can tell, this would be a M1892 rifle with 1901 pattern rear sight that was cut down to a 22" barrel. The receiver has "1894" on it and is in the 18,7xx serial number range. One source shows it was made in 1895 and another showed 1896. One of those sources mentioned some 'full stock' 1894 carbines - but I would imaging those are all known/accounted for and/or super rare.

Looks different from other 'sporterized' rifles I've seen - maybe the work of a good gunsmith at some point with what looks like the stock forearm being re-shaped to taper down and fit the ferrule/cap under the muzzle. The stock is still one piece, it's not been cut at the band - just appears to be re-shaped. There are no markings on the front sight or stock "cap". I did take it apart and the screw on the bottom of the stock "cap" is shallow threaded into the barrel. The front sight has a protective hood that slides off.

I would imagine this front sight was a sporting sight, not a military arsenal sight?

[browningautorifle]

Not a military piece of any sort but a VERY cool hunting rifle at the very least. That would be one, if the bore is nice...I would love to have. No, It's a sporter.

[butlersrangers]

'polandaj' - Your Krag, #187XX, is a U.S. model 1892, that was assembled around July or August, 1895.

With the model 1901 rear-sight & hand-guard and 'hold-open' pin on the extractor, it likely that it was up-dated, later, to more of a model 1896 configuration.
(It is likely your receiver was later 'notched' for the hold-open pin on your extractor. IIRC - This alteration was done to early receivers in 1897 and 1902).

I think that you are correct about your Krag being turned into a rather nice 'Mannicher-style' Hunting rifle by a professional Gunsmith.

It is far nicer than most 'sportered' Krags.

(FWIW - Only two prototype-carbines were built on model 1892 actions and they are accounted for).

[butlersrangers]

'polandaj' - I am curious.

Your Krag appears to have a model 1896 or 1898 Bolt with the pin protruding from the extractor and other later features.

Is your receiver 'notched' to accept this pin, when the Bolt is drawn to the rear?

[polandaj]

'polandaj' - I am curious.
Your Krag appears to have a model 1896 or 1898 Bolt with the pin protruding from the extractor and other later features.
Is your receiver 'notched' to accept this pin, when the Bolt is drawn to the rear?

Hi 'butlersrangers', I had purchased a lot that contained three Krag rifles, what appears to be an unmolested 1898 rifle with bayonet, an unmolested 1896 carbine - and this 1892 sporter. I can't be 100% certain that I didn't mix up the bolts between the rifles - but I just snapped these pics of the 1892 in question in this thread. it does have a notch in the receiver for the extractor pin to hold the bolt open.

[Daan Kemp]

Looks like a very nice sporterised Krag. With a good bore and all parts working correctly, it should be a a valuable addition.

[browningautorifle]

I had purchased a lot that contained three Krag rifles,

Love to see them all if you have the time to do an expose' on them...always nice for later reference here. I just like to look at clean Krags.

[polandaj]

Love to see them all if you have the time to do an expose' on them...always nice for later reference here. I just like to look at clean Krags.

I was able to snap some pics of the 1896 Carbine - I'll add the 1898 Rifle soon.

[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".

[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?