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 31121 dates to year of manufacture of 1896, at the end of the first half of the year, which is part of U.S. Fiscal Year 1896. Springfield Armory produced 7941 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. It still features the original 22 inch barrel, and shows no evidence of being a converted rifle.

The handguard is correct for the model 1896 rear sight, which is fully functional and in very good condition, correctly marked "C" on the leaf for a carbine. There is also a rare barrel band sight guard directly in front to protect it, and we can see on the barrel that it originally had the longer sight guard, and was retrofitted with the sight guard. The stock is fitted with a M1896 solid smooth buttplate with a curved toe and butt-trap. Inside is the correct three piece cleaning rod, and even an original oiler! Interestingly, the compartment inside the butt stock was enlarged to hold more, so the oiler bounces around, while the cleaning rods still fit into their slots. As assume this was for storing cleaning materials.

Metal condition is very good, showing a lovely worn gray patina in wear areas, with the original blue still present on some of the hardware, especially on the barrel.. The stocks are in very good condition and have the lovely dark red brown color only seen on aged oiled walnut. There are the usual dents and dings, but no cracks or major structural issues. It still has a faint circled P proof behind the trigger guard, indicating the barrel has passed the overpressure testing.

The bore is in very good condition, with clear lands and grooves and a partly bright finish, with the grooves being somewhat dark. There is light wear on the lands, so this is a carbine that saw some service, possibly after it was released to the general public. The carbine cycles nicely, and appears to be fully functional.

A great chance to pick up a hard to find U.S. military carbine, complete with the original accessories! Ready to display!

Specifications-

Year of Manufacture: 1896
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