I'm very new to the site and wanted to ask a question about a 30-40 Krag that my father is handing down to me. 

As I understand it, my grand uncle was in WWII in Europe and brought home a 30-40 Krag that he gave to my grandfather who was stationed stateside.  It was passed on to my father and now on to me.  The barrel is stamped 1894 Springfield with SN 20258.  I believe that based on my limited research it would be an 1896, but I'm uncertain.  He told me that it has a has a Lyman rear sight with 10 graduation lines, no numbers.  Not sure if that helps the ID.

My father told me that the barrel and stock appear to have been shortened at some point in the past, but I'm not sure of who or why it would have been done.

Can you help me to identify the true year of manufacture as well as any known history if rifles around this SN range?

Thanks!
KJ