I have some more information about my 1896 carbine #27786.  5madfarmers on another forum stated that on p.195 of Mallory's book my serial number appears.  It shows it was issued to Thomas O'Neill, a wagoner in G troop 1st US Volunteer Cavalry.  Other research shows that O' Neill was from Springer, NM.  One thing that troubled me was that 5madfarmers stated that since my carbine had an 1897 cartouche, it was an was a 2nd block carbine stock on a first block carbine, which would make it incorrect.  He discounts what I have listed in the Springfield Research Service book that states that rifles and carbines did not get their stocks installed until right before they shipped from the arsenal.  By this criteria, a first block carbine could have been shipped with a second block stock, or at least I think so.  In the matter of the incorrect rear sight 5madfarmers also stated that the government did not condemn parts on krags by placing a "c" stamp on them.   One final question.  Now knowing who the carbine belonged to, what kind of value does it have and would it be increased if I could locate an original 1896 rear sight?  Thanks as always for your help and opinions.