Original Item: Only One Available. This is a very nice condition middle production (1896) Springfield Krag-Jørgensen M1896 Rifle, the standard U.S. Long arm of the time. It measures was 49 inches (1,200 mm) in overall length weighing 9.3 pounds with a 30-inch (760 mm) barrel. The The Springfield Model 1892–99 Krag–Jørgensen rifle is a Norwegian-designed bolt-action rifle that was adopted in 1892 as the standard United States Army military longarm, chambered in U.S. caliber .30-40 Krag. All versions and variants were manufactured under license by the Springfield Armory between 1892 and 1903 and famously served as the longarm during the Spanish–American War. Although Krags were popular, unique and efficient, the side loading gate mechanism was slow and cumbersome to reload in combat compared to the clip loaded Spanish Mausers the Krag was up against.

The M1896 rifle differs from the earlier M1892 version, in that the magazine cut-off operates in down position and a three-piece cleaning rod is stored in a butt trap. It also had an improved rear sight and tighter production tolerances to give better accuracy when compared to its predecessor.

Our example is stamped on the receiver:

Research reveals that serial number 41549 dates the time of manufacture to the second half of 1896, which is part of U.S. fiscal year 1897. The stock is fitted with a M1896 solid smooth buttplate with a curved toe and butt-trap, which contains and end and middle portion of the cleaning rod. The handguard meets the front edge of the receiver, surrounding the correct M1896 pattern 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. Many were later modified / updated with new stocks or sights, but this example shows no signs of having parts replaced, and is totally correct.

Condition is very good with a lightly worn blued patina to the metalwork, while the bolt is still mostly the original bright steel. The stock and handguard are in very good condition, with a lovely red-brown walnut color, and no signs of arsenal reconditioning. There are the expected scratches and small dings from service, but this is still really a great stock. It still has a clear circled stylized P proof behind the trigger guard, indicating the barrel has passed the overpressure testing. It also has a crisp "boxed" stock inspection cartouche that reads JSA / 1896, for J. Sumnar Adams, the Springfield Armory master armorer of the period.

Both sling swivels and the stacking swivel are present and in good shape. Action works smoothly and all components have a nice finish, with slight oxidation on the bright areas. The bore shows clear lands and grooves, however there is fouling in the grooves. It does show wear, so this is definitely a rifle that was used for a time in service.

Fitted to the rifle is a very nice original leather sling, which looks like it may originally have been black. It is the correct configuration, though the leather is now definitely quite hard, and we have not attempted to remove it from the rifle, as we do not think it would survive intact. It is already missing the larger sling keeper loop usually around the stud end of the sling.

A great example of the standard turn of the 20th century U.S. Service rifle with an original sling, ready to display!

Specifications-

Year of Manufacture: 1896
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

IMA considers all of our antique guns as non-firing, inoperable and/or inert. Title 18, U.S. Code, Section 921(a)(16) defines antique firearms as all guns made prior to 1899. This law exempts antique firearms from any form of gun control or special engineering because they are not legally considered firearms. No FFL, C&R or any license is required to possess, transport, sell or trade Antique guns. All rifles and muskets sold by IMA that were manufactured prior to 1899 are considered Antiques by the US BATF (United States Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco & Firearms). Therefore, all of IMA's Antique guns may be shipped to most US States and most U.S. territories.

These antique guns are not sold in "live" condition, and are not tested for the the ability to feed or load any type of cartridge. They are sold as collector's items or as "wall hangers" not for use, and we make no guarantees regarding functionality aside from what is stated in the description. Any attempt at restoring an antique gun to be operational is strongly discouraged and is done so at the risk of the customer. By purchasing an antique gun from IMA you thereby release IMA, its employees and corporate officers from any and all liability associated with use of our Antique guns.

Pre-1899 Manufacture, no licenses required, allowed to ship to most addresses within the United States.