Original Item: Only One Available. This is a very nice example of the very hard to find Springfield Model 1896 Krag–Jørgensen Carbine, which still has an intact saddle ring and sight guard. It is in very good honest condition, with no signs of an arsenal recondition or other restoration / refinishing efforts. It has a lovely gently worn patina of age from decades of careful cleaning and storage.

It measures approximately 41 inches (1,042 mm) in overall length with a 22-inch (560 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 Model 1896 is an improvement over the original 1892 model. It had a magazine cut-off operated in the down position had a cleaning rod that was stored in the butt trap, which mean that even the carbine model would have a cleaning rod. The production tolerances were also improved, resulting in an overall better firearm.

Our example is stamped on the receiver:

Research reveals that serial number 54275 dates to year of manufacture of 1897, the first half of the year, which is part of U.S. Fiscal Year 1897. Springfield Armory produced 14122 M1896 carbines this year. All model 1896 rifles and carbines were produced 1898 and prior, and are federally considered Pre-1899 antiques.

The Carbine Model 1896 features features the later bolt with the extractor with pin and the receiver is machined to work with the pin. The carbine was updated at some point with a Model 1901 adjustable rear sight, and has the correct rear hand guard to fit this. It was not fitted with a sight protector and still has the original barrel bane installed. The stock is fitted with a replacement M1903 Springfield style crosshatched smooth butt plate with a curved toe and butt-trap, which is unfortunately empty. It still features the original 22 inch barrel, as well as the saddle ring bar with an intact ring.

Metal condition is very good, showing strong bluing, most likely the result of an arsenal reblue when the rear sight was replaced. The stocks are in very good condition and have the lovely dark red brown color only seen on aged oiled walnut. The butt stock is a bit interesting, as it appears to have repaired cracks on both sides. Removing the butt plate shows that it has a second hole drilled parallel to the oiler inlet, going far into the stock. We assume this was done to lighten the carbine somewhat. Definitely an interesting modification worth of further research!

The bore is in very good condition, with clear lands and grooves and a mostly bright finish, with just a bit of overall haze. There definitely wear to the lands, which are now well rounded. The carbine cycles nicely, and appears to be fully functional, though we have no way to test the feed mechanism.

A great chance to pick up a hard to find U.S. military carbine! Ready to display!

Specifications-

Year of Manufacture: 1897
Caliber: .30-40 Krag
Cartridge Type: Centerfire Cartridge
Barrel Length: 22 Inches
Overall Length: 41 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.