Original Item: Only One Available. This is a scarce early production U.S. Springfield Model 1892 Krag-Jørgensen Infantry Rifle, serial number 19471, assembled circa late 1895 and subsequently returned to Springfield Arsenal for conversion to the improved Model 1896 configuration. Chambered for the .30 Army cartridge, better known today as .30-40 Krag, it retains the desirable early receiver marked 1894 together with the unmistakable filled cleaning rod channel in its original Model 1892 style fore stock. The rifle now incorporates Model 1896 pattern features including the buttstock cleaning rod compartment, updated bolt and extractor arrangement, handguard, and rear sight.

This is an antique black powder firearm manufactured before 1899. Under federal law, it may generally be owned within the United States without a special license or permit and does not require transfer through a Federal Firearms Licensee. However, state and local laws may vary. This firearm is sold solely as a historical collector’s item and has not been test fired or inspected for firing safety by a professional gunsmith. Any mechanical or bore observations provided below describe only its present condition and should not be interpreted as confirmation that the firearm is safe to load or fire. The purchaser is solely responsible for complying with all applicable federal, state, and local laws.

The U.S. Model 1892 Krag-Jørgensen was America's first standard issue smokeless powder bolt action repeating military rifle. Adopted after the 1892 Army rifle trials, the American Krag used a distinctive side loading five round magazine, smooth rear locking bolt action, magazine cutoff, and a 30" barrel. Production at Springfield Arsenal did not begin in quantity until 1894, and the earliest rifles consequently carried receiver dates rather than an explicit model designation.

The original Model 1892 rifle measured approximately 49" overall and weighed about 9.3 pounds. One of its most recognizable features was the full length, one piece cleaning rod carried in a groove beneath the barrel. As service use revealed shortcomings and Springfield introduced numerous improvements, the design evolved into the Model 1896. Virtually all Model 1892 rifles were eventually recalled and updated, making substantially unaltered examples quite scarce today.

The receiver on this rifle is marked:

U.S.

1894 SPRINGFIELD ARMORY 19471

The 1894 marking identifies the receiver as belonging to the original Model 1892 family. Early Krag receivers were stamped with a year rather than MODEL 1892, and surviving rifles marked 1894 continued to be assembled well beyond the 1894 calendar year as previously manufactured receivers were used up.

Serial number 19471 falls within Springfield's Fiscal Year 1896 production range of approximately 16385 through 32647. Because the government's fiscal year ran from July 1 through June 30, that does not mean the rifle was necessarily assembled during calendar year 1896. Its early receiver marking and surviving stock cartouche are consistent with manufacture or final inspection around late 1895.

The left side of the stock retains a faint boxed inspection cartouche that appears to read:

JSA
1895

for J. Sumner Adams, Springfield Arsenal's Master Armorer and inspector during this period. The stock also carries a crisp circled:

P

proof or firing inspection mark behind the trigger guard, along with a second, fainter proof impression. Multiple proof stamps can be encountered on stocks that passed through later arsenal inspection or reuse. Given this rifle's documented pattern of Model 1892 to Model 1896 alteration, the additional proof is consistent with a subsequent period of arsenal work, although we cannot establish from the stamp alone exactly when it was applied.

The most obvious evidence of the Model 1896 conversion is found beneath the barrel. The original Model 1892 stock had a long groove for the one piece cleaning rod. During conversion, Springfield Arsenal removed the under barrel rod system and fitted a long, carefully shaped wood filler strip into the original cleaning rod channel. That filler remains clearly visible on this example and is one of the strongest identifying features of a converted Model 1892 stock.

The Model 1896 system instead carried a jointed three piece cleaning rod inside the buttstock. This rifle has the corresponding later smooth steel buttplate with curved toe and opening butt trap. The compartment is presently empty, so the sectional cleaning rods are not included.

The rifle also incorporates the longer Model 1896 pattern handguard, extending rearward around the updated rear sight and meeting the front of the receiver. The rear sight is the appropriate Model 1896 style and remains complete and functional. The front sight is also intact.

The bolt assembly has likewise been brought toward Model 1896 configuration. It has the later extractor arrangement with its retaining pin, and the receiver has the corresponding alteration necessary to accommodate the revised extractor system. The rifle also retains the military magazine cutoff and safety, both of which operate during careful manual inspection.

The magazine cutoff deserves some explanation because the U.S. Krag system went through several variations during its service life. When engaged, the cutoff prevents cartridges in the side magazine from feeding, allowing the rifle to be used as a single shot while keeping the magazine in reserve. The orientation of the lever changed during subsequent Krag development, and converted Model 1892 rifles can display early or transitional cutoff components. We therefore identify the functioning cutoff on this rifle by its mechanical operation rather than assigning its lever direction alone to a particular model.

The upper barrel band is the later double strap pattern encountered on updated Krags and retains its stacking swivel. Both principal sling swivels are also present and remain in very good condition.

The metalwork is in very good service used condition. The barrel retains substantial old blue that has aged toward an attractive plum color, while the receiver and magazine housing display a mottled gray and brown patina from age and handling. There are scattered areas of light old peppering, but no major active rust or serious destructive pitting is apparent. The extractor on top of the bolt retains particularly strong nitre blue coloration.

The walnut stock has a pleasing red brown color and displays the expected wear from military service, including dents, dings, scratches, and small gouges. The early inspection markings remain visible, and the filled Model 1892 cleaning rod channel is readily apparent. We do not see any major structural cracks or significant repair work.

The bolt action cycles smoothly during careful manual inspection and produces a crisp dry fire. The safety operates correctly and the magazine cutoff is present and functional. We have not tested the rifle with cartridges and therefore cannot confirm magazine feeding, extraction, or ejection under ammunition.

The bore is in very good condition, retaining a mostly bright interior with clearly defined lands and grooves. There is some wear to the tops of the lands together with isolated evidence of old oxidation and fouling, but the rifling remains strong and the bore presents considerably better than many service used Krag rifles encountered today.

With its low serial number 19471, early 1894 dated Model 1892 receiver, faint JSA / 1895 stock cartouche, original stock with arsenal filled cleaning rod channel, Model 1896 pattern upgrades, strong remaining finish, complete military swivels, functional action, and very good bore, this is an excellent example of the transitional history of America's first standard smokeless powder service rifle. Rather than representing a collection of mismatched later parts, its mixture of early and updated features tells the story of the extensive Springfield Arsenal program that brought the original Model 1892 rifles up to Model 1896 service standards. It would be particularly desirable in a collection of early U.S. bolt action rifles, Spanish-American War era arms, Springfield Arsenal firearms, or developmental American military rifles.

Specifications-

Year of Manufacture: Circa 1895
Manufacturer: Springfield Armory
Model: U.S. Model 1892 Rifle - updated to M1896 Specs
Serial Number: 19471
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
Federal Classification: Antique Firearm

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.