Original Item: Only One Available. This is a rare early production (1895) Krag M1892 Rifle, in very good condition and complete with the original cleaning rod and oiler! It measures was 49 inches (1,200 mm) in overall length weighing 9.3 pounds with a 30-inch (760 mm) barrel. M1892 Krag Rifles originally had a magazine cut off that operated in the up position. M1892s can also be identified by the single-piece cleaning rod stored under the barrel. Interestingly, because it took two years to retool for production, model 1892 Krags have receivers dated "1894." Most of the M1892 rifles were then later arsenal reconditioned to the Model 1896 configuration.

This example is one of those reconditioned to the M1896 configuration in arsenal. This involved changing the magazine cutoff to one that operates in down position, and adding three-piece cleaning rod is stored in a butt trap. The front cleaning rod was removed, and the groove in the stock filled with a wood plug, which can still be seen. We removed the front barrel band to check, and it is definitely a filled channel. There also is a filled in channel for a band spring by the lower barrel band, which is something we haven't really seen before. The sight was then changed out for a M1896 sight, along with the correct upper forestock which meets the receiver.

Our example is stamped on the receiver:

Research reveals that serial number 14777 dates manufacture to the first half of 1895, the second year of production, which is part of U.S. Fiscal Year 1895. It has the original style stock with the plugged cleaning rod slot, the second pattern front barrel band with double straps on top, the later bolt with the extractor with pin and the receiver has also been altered for the extractor pin. It still has a clear circled "P" proof behind the trigger guard, indicating the barrel has passed the overpressure testing when it was made. It also has a clear "boxed" stock inspection cartouche that reads JSA / 1896, for inspector J. Sumner Adams, Master Armorer at Springfield. This indicates inspection after June 1895, when the next fiscal year began.

The stock is fitted with a M1896 solid smooth buttplate with a curved toe and butt-trap, which still has the original nickel plated oiler present. The handguard meets the front edge of the receiver fitted with an upgraded model 1896 rear sight. These are very desirable as a U.S. military service rifle as most of these rifles saw heavy use in the Spanish-American War and early 1900s until the development of the M1903 rifle.

Condition is very good, with the original finish still very well retained, showing much of the original bluing. There is even still the "Niter bluing" present on the extractor, which is almost always worn away. We do not see any sign of the metalwork having been refinished at any time, and the original markings are still crisp. The stock and handguard are very attractive, with the lovely red brown color of oiled walnut on the handguard and stock. The stock shows some handling marks and impressions in some areas, but has a very attractive and strong grain. 

The rifle cycles well, with a crisp dry fire, though we have no way to test to see whether the magazine still feeds correctly. The magazine cutoff is present and functional. The bore is in very good condition, showing a mostly bright finish with clear lands and grooves. There is just a bit of rounding on the lands indicating that the rifle saw only light use while in service. Both sling swivels and the stacking swivel are present and in very good condition. 

This is a very good condition example of the rifle that replaced the legendary Springfield Trapdoor, ready to display!

Specifications-

Year of Manufacture: 1895
Caliber:  .30-40 Krag
Cartridge Type: Centerfire Cartridge
Barrel Length: 30 Inches
Overall Length: 49 Inches
Action type: Bolt-Action
Feed System: 5 round side loaded magazine