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 used condition, with no signs of an arsenal recondition or other restoration / refinishing efforts. It has a lovely worn patina of age from long use followed by decades of careful cleaning.

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 68837 dates to year of manufacture of 1897, the second half of the year, which is part of U.S. Fiscal Year 1898. Springfield Armory produced 14,122 M1896 carbines this year. All model 1896 rifles and carbines were produced 1898 and prior, and are federally considered Pre-1899 Antique Firearms by the BATF. 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. This would help prevent the carbine from tangling with the soldiers rigging.

Metal condition is very good, with the original finish having faded to a lovely worn mottled patina, with no sign of major rust or other issues. It has the look of a turn of the century service rifle that was in use for decades. The bore is in very good condition, with clear lands and grooves and a partly bright finish, with overall haze from oxidation, particularly in the grooves. There definitely wear to the lands, which are now rounded. The carbine cycles nicely, and appears to be fully functional, though we have no way to test the feed mechanism. The magazine cutoff is present and looks to be functional, and we tested the safety, which works correctly both when the bolt is cocked and uncocked.

The stocks are in very good service used condition and have the lovely dark red brown color only seen on aged oiled walnut. The stock is fitted with a M1896 solid smooth buttplate with a curved toe and butt-trap, which is unfortunately empty. The stock does show chips, gouges, and other dents consistent with long service, including some stains and other damage from oxidation of the metalwork. There is also wear around the saddle ring bar from when it was in use on a horse, as the clip and tag would rub against the wood.

A great chance to pick up a hard to find U.S. military carbine with a great "been there" look! 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.