Original Item: Only One Available. This is a very attractive and hard to find U.S. Springfield Model 1896 Krag-Jørgensen Saddle-Ring Carbine, serial number 79476, manufactured circa 1897. Chambered for the .30 Army cartridge, now commonly called .30-40 Krag, it retains the correct 22" carbine barrel, short stock, saddle-ring bar, rear sight guard, Model 1896 handguard, butt trap, and other characteristic carbine features. The saddle ring itself is no longer present on the bar, and the rear sight currently fitted appears to be a Model 1896 rifle sight rather than the correct carbine calibrated version.

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 Krag-Jørgensen was adopted by the United States Army in 1892 after extensive magazine rifle trials and became America's first standard issue smokeless powder bolt action repeating military rifle. The American version was manufactured at Springfield Arsenal and chambered for the .30 Army cartridge. Its distinctive side loading magazine allowed cartridges to be inserted without opening the bolt, while a magazine cutoff permitted the rifle or carbine to be used as a single shot while retaining a reserve of cartridges in the magazine.

By 1896 the Army had incorporated enough improvements into the original design to adopt the Model 1896. Changes included elimination of the earlier under-barrel cleaning rod in favor of a sectional rod stored in the butt, alterations to the stock, improved bolt and extractor components, and an updated rear sight. A cavalry carbine version was produced with a 22" barrel, shortened stock, and the familiar saddle-ring bar mounted on the left side.

This carbine measures approximately:

41" overall
22" barrel

which is correct for the Model 1896 carbine configuration.

The receiver is marked:

U.S.

MODEL 1896. SPRINGFIELD ARMORY. 79476

Serial number 79476 falls within the Springfield Krag production sequence associated with Fiscal Year 1898, which ran from July 1, 1897 through June 30, 1898. Model 1896 carbine production during that fiscal period was concentrated heavily in the second half of calendar year 1897, making circa late 1897 a very reasonable manufacturing date for this example.

The stock retains the faint ghost of its original inspection cartouche on the left side beneath the saddle-ring bar, although refinishing has rendered the initials and date illegible. Behind the trigger guard is a faint circled:

P

proof or firing inspection mark. The stock has clearly been refinished at some point, which accounts for the softened appearance of these original markings.

The stock itself retains the correct short Model 1896 carbine profile and the left-side saddle-ring bar. The original ring is now missing, but the bar remains present. This is an important feature because the later Model 1899 carbine dispensed with the saddle-ring bar entirely as cavalry use shifted increasingly toward leather saddle scabbards.

The Model 1896 carbine also used the revised bolt and extractor system. This example has the later extractor with retaining pin, and the receiver is appropriately machined to accommodate that arrangement.

The butt is fitted with the correct smooth Model 1896 steel buttplate with curved toe and butt trap. The compartment contains an oiler, but the sectional cleaning rod is no longer present.

The rear sight area is particularly interesting. The carbine retains the correct rear sight guard surrounding the sight, a feature intended to protect the exposed ladder during mounted service. The handguard is also appropriate to the Model 1896 sight arrangement.

The sight itself, however, appears to be a Model 1896 rifle sight rather than the correct carbine calibrated sight. It is graduated to 1800 yards and does not show the expected C carbine designation. Original Model 1896 carbine sights were specially calibrated for the shorter 22" barrel and were marked with a C; their graduations differ from the corresponding rifle sight. The present sight is therefore best regarded as a later service or replacement component rather than the carbine's original sight.

The metalwork remains in very good service used condition. Much of the exposed finish has matured to an attractive plum and gray patina, with honest wear from handling and cleaning. We do not see evidence of major past pitting, active rust blooms, or obvious modern rebluing. The overall finish has a pleasing aged appearance consistent with extended military and later civilian use.

The walnut stock is in very good condition overall and has an especially attractive area of strong natural figure in the butt, displaying pronounced chatoyancy approaching burl-like character in places. The refinishing has enhanced the color and grain, producing a rich red brown appearance. There are several grain-following cracks around the receiver area that appear stress related, but they show no obvious movement during handling. The handguard remains in very good condition and also displays attractive grain.

The action cycles smoothly during careful manual inspection and produces a crisp dry fire. The safety engages and releases correctly. The side magazine door opens normally for loading, and movement of the magazine cutoff can be observed inside the receiver. We have not tested the carbine with cartridges and therefore cannot confirm magazine feeding, extraction, or ejection under ammunition.

The bore is in good service used condition, with clearly visible lands and grooves and a mostly bright interior. There is some localized fouling and oxidation haze, along with considerable wear to the tops of the lands. The bore remains entirely respectable for a cavalry carbine that clearly saw meaningful use.

With its correct 22" barrel, short carbine stock, surviving saddle-ring bar, rear sight guard, Model 1896 bolt and extractor arrangement, figured walnut butt, functional action, and serial number 79476 placing it in the late Model 1896 carbine production period, this is a particularly attractive example of one of the most desirable U.S. Krag variants. The missing saddle ring, refinished stock, and replacement rifle rear sight are important condition considerations, but the underlying carbine configuration remains clear. It would make an excellent addition to a collection of U.S. cavalry arms, Spanish-American War era firearms, Springfield Arsenal weapons, or early American bolt action carbines.

Specifications-

Year of Manufacture: Circa 1897
Manufacturer: Springfield Armory
Model: U.S. Model 1896 Carbine
Serial Number: 79476
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
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.