Early Krag Carbines Explained 101

Squaregrouper · Mar 27, 2015

Ran across this and thought I would share...
FWIW- Here is a good article explaining the basics of 1895, 1896 and Model 1896 Springfield Carbines.
http://www.newmarketarms.com/springf...ge-p-1186.html

If examining the pictures- Please note that I question the stock's authenticity, as almost all '95/'96 carbines were used in The S.A.W. Add the peculiar position of the JSA cartouche (too close to the saddle ring) and I don't believe it is an unmolested stock. I'm sure that has a lot to do with why it is still for sale for "only" $2800. An all correct '95 carbine is easily worth that price.
Rifles don't go to war and return in excellent condition with the inspector's stamp in a different location.

Early Krag Carbines are my favorite firearms. I am fortunate enough to own one of the first few hundred known to exist.

somd_mustangs · Mar 27, 2015

Nice background info.

That seller does a lot of research, so much so that his GB ads are a pain as the item description is often buried.
But he goes down to the nitty gritty detail in both words & pics, enough so that the informed buyer can draw their own conclusions.
I bought a nice P.38 480 from him and was very pleased with the experience.
He's actually a nice guy too. Just expensive.

Squaregrouper · Mar 28, 2015

somd_mustangs said:
Nice background info.

That seller does a lot of research, so much so that his GB ads are a pain as the item description is often buried.
But he goes down to the nitty gritty detail in both words & pics, enough so that the informed buyer can draw their own conclusions.
I bought a nice P.38 480 from him and was very pleased with the experience.
He's actually a nice guy too. Just expensive.

This guy wrote- in a few paragraphs- what would take me a day of shooting (or night of drinking) to explain about Krag Carbines.
VERY impressive research/writing for a re-seller. He did not cut and paste his info.

Boom Boom · Mar 29, 2015

Was this guy at the antique arms show last weekend? I saw a nice Krag carbine there that looked identical.

Squaregrouper · Mar 29, 2015

Boom Boom said:
Was this guy at the antique arms show last weekend? I saw a nice Krag carbine there that looked identical.

When walking aisles, I'm drawn to Krag magazine gates like, well, there are hundreds of analogies- you get the point.
If he was there with it, I didn't see it. I only saw one '95 carbine and it was in Row K or L, near the back wall. It really got my attention because it was #26952? and mine is #26930- EXTREMELY close SN range for such a rare firearm.

BlackBart · Mar 30, 2015

The Krag was both attractive and smooth. Some stupid stuff on it IMO like bolt removal and it isn't particularly strong BUT still packs a potent punch... about like a 300 Savage. Not bad, not bad at all.

Mine (1898) was SERIOUSLY Bubbaed and still is but not so bad as it was anymore.

Boom Boom · Mar 30, 2015

squaregrouper said:
When walking aisles, I'm drawn to Krag magazine gates like, well, there are hundreds of analogies- you get the point.
If he was there with it, I didn't see it. I only saw one '95 carbine and it was in Row K or L, near the back wall. It really got my attention because it was #26952? and mine is #26930- EXTREMELY close SN range for such a rare firearm.

That must be the one I saw. I didn't look closely because I was on the hunt for revolvers. Did it look legit (unmodified)?

Squaregrouper · Mar 31, 2015

Boom Boom said:
That must be the one I saw. I didn't look closely because I was on the hunt for revolvers. Did it look legit (unmodified)?

Oh yeah, up to and including the thin wrist stock.
Thin wrist stocks were carry overs from Trapdoors and were major weak points. They were only issued on the very early '95 carbines. >95% were re-arsenaled to the thick wrist stock. All '96 and newer rifles and carbines were issued from SA with thick wrist stocks.
This would help explain the $3900 price tag.

Jim'sKid · Apr 2, 2015

squaregrouper said:
Ran across this and thought I would share...
FWIW- Here is a good article explaining the basics of 1895, 1896 and Model 1896 Springfield Carbines.
http://www.newmarketarms.com/springf...ge-p-1186.html

If examining the pictures- Please note that I question the stock's authenticity, as almost all '95/'96 carbines were used in The S.A.W. Add the peculiar position of the JSA cartouche (too close to the saddle ring) and I don't believe it is an unmolested stock. I'm sure that has a lot to do with why it is still for sale for "only" $2800. An all correct '95 carbine is easily worth that price.
Rifles don't go to war and return in excellent condition with the inspector's stamp in a different location.

Early Krag Carbines are my favorite firearms. I am fortunate enough to own one of the first few hundred known to exist.

Squaregrouper:

Any other Krag online resources you could point me toward (including ammo)? I have what I think is a cutback version inherited from my uncle but I would like to be sure it isn't a carbine. Still shoots nice. I think they were selling them for about $1.50 when he picked it up. Any info would be appreciated. Thanks.

Squaregrouper · Apr 2, 2015

Jim'sKid said:
Squaregrouper:

Any other Krag online resources you could point me toward (including ammo)? I have what I think is a cutback version inherited from my uncle but I would like to be sure it isn't a carbine. Still shoots nice. I think they were selling them for about $1.50 when he picked it up. Any info would be appreciated. Thanks.

These are the best internet forums for Krag stuff. Joe Farmers (5MadFarmers) and Dick Hosmer frequent them and are probably some of the most knowledgeable Krag guys alive.
kragcollectorsassociation.com
jouster.com

Ammo typically pops up just before deer season-- SAVE YOUR BRASS. It gets harder to find every year.

Post a picture and I can confirm if it is not a carbine, but won't be able to 100% confirm it is an authentic carbine from a single photo. There are lots of fakes out there.

buellsfurn · Dec 21, 2020

https://www.mdshooters.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=302340&stc=1&d=1608565638
should I or shouldn't I is the question return to original

buellsfurn · Dec 21, 2020

https://www.mdshooters.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=302341&stc=1&d=1608566065( oops)

buellsfurn · Dec 21, 2020

https://www.mdshooters.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=302344&stc=1&d=1608566874

Melnic · Dec 21, 2020

Receiver drilled for the rear sight?

Squaregrouper · Dec 21, 2020

The stock cannot be converted back. The front sight has an 03 type barrel band and the receiver was most likely drilled for the peep sight.
Enjoy it as a shooter, as the cost of turning that back into as issued condition will be far more expensive than buying one.

buellsfurn · Dec 21, 2020

Melnic said:
Receiver drilled for the rear sight?

jury is out one member said that some early models had peep sights but could be that mine is not in the correct location

buellsfurn · Dec 21, 2020

squaregrouper said:
The stock cannot be converted back. The front sight has an 03 type barrel band and the receiver was most likely drilled for the peep sight.
Enjoy it as a shooter, as the cost of turning that back into as issued condition will be far more expensive than buying one.

Thank you sir ya scratching the surface currently I cant afford to pay attention. eBay has some parts but geez

Early Krag Carbines Explained 101

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