{"product_id":"original-u-s-springfield-model-1896-30-40-krag-jorgensen-saddle-ring-carbine-with-rear-sight-guard-and-figured-walnut-stock-serial-no-79476-circa-1897","title":"Original U.S. Springfield Model 1896 .30-40 Krag-Jørgensen Saddle-Ring Carbine with Rear Sight Guard and Figured Walnut Stock, Serial No. 79476, Circa 1897","description":"\u003cp\u003eOriginal Item: Only One Available. This is a very attractive and hard to find \u003cstrong\u003eU.S. Springfield Model 1896 Krag-Jørgensen Saddle-Ring Carbine\u003c\/strong\u003e, serial number \u003cstrong\u003e79476\u003c\/strong\u003e, manufactured circa \u003cstrong\u003e1897\u003c\/strong\u003e. Chambered for the .30 Army cartridge, now commonly called \u003cstrong\u003e.30-40 Krag\u003c\/strong\u003e, 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 \u003cstrong\u003erifle\u003c\/strong\u003e sight rather than the correct carbine calibrated version.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe 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 \u003cstrong\u003eSpringfield Arsenal\u003c\/strong\u003e 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBy 1896 the Army had incorporated enough improvements into the original design to adopt the \u003cstrong\u003eModel 1896\u003c\/strong\u003e. 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 \u003cstrong\u003e22\" barrel\u003c\/strong\u003e, shortened stock, and the familiar saddle-ring bar mounted on the left side.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis carbine measures approximately:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e41\" overall\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e22\" barrel\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ewhich is correct for the Model 1896 carbine configuration.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe receiver is marked:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eU.S.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMODEL 1896. SPRINGFIELD ARMORY. 79476\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSerial number \u003cstrong\u003e79476\u003c\/strong\u003e falls within the Springfield Krag production sequence associated with \u003cstrong\u003eFiscal Year 1898\u003c\/strong\u003e, 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 \u003cstrong\u003ecirca late 1897\u003c\/strong\u003e a very reasonable manufacturing date for this example.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe 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:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eP\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eproof or firing inspection mark. The stock has clearly been refinished at some point, which accounts for the softened appearance of these original markings.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe butt is fitted with the correct smooth Model 1896 steel buttplate with curved toe and butt trap. The compartment contains an \u003cstrong\u003eoiler\u003c\/strong\u003e, but the sectional cleaning rod is no longer present.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe rear sight area is particularly interesting. The carbine retains the correct \u003cstrong\u003erear sight guard\u003c\/strong\u003e 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe sight itself, however, appears to be a \u003cstrong\u003eModel 1896 rifle sight\u003c\/strong\u003e rather than the correct carbine calibrated sight. It is graduated to \u003cstrong\u003e1800 yards\u003c\/strong\u003e and does not show the expected \u003cstrong\u003eC\u003c\/strong\u003e carbine designation. Original Model 1896 carbine sights were specially calibrated for the shorter 22\" barrel and were marked with a \u003cstrong\u003eC\u003c\/strong\u003e; 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe bore is in \u003cstrong\u003egood service used condition\u003c\/strong\u003e, 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWith 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 \u003cstrong\u003e79476\u003c\/strong\u003e 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSpecifications-\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYear of Manufacture: Circa 1897\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eManufacturer: Springfield Armory\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eModel: U.S. Model 1896 Carbine\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSerial Number: 79476\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003eCaliber:  .30-40 Krag\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCartridge Type: Centerfire Cartridge\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003eBarrel Length: 22 Inches\u003cbr\u003eOverall Length: 41 Inches\u003cbr\u003eAction type: Bolt-Action\u003cbr\u003eFeed System: 5 round side loaded magazine\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFederal Classification: Antique Firearm\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Original Items","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46415205630021,"sku":"ONJR26OCNS08","price":2895.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1524\/1342\/files\/6C13DA02-282E-472B-B37E-30A5BB1F6007.jpg?v=1794601099","url":"https:\/\/www.ima-usa.com\/products\/original-u-s-springfield-model-1896-30-40-krag-jorgensen-saddle-ring-carbine-with-rear-sight-guard-and-figured-walnut-stock-serial-no-79476-circa-1897","provider":"International Military Antiques","version":"1.0","type":"link"}