Krag Collectors Association Forum Archive

Krag Collectors Association Forum Archive
General >> Older threads >> MODEL 1896 Carbine ? http://www.kragcollectorsassociation.org/cgi-bin/yabb2/YaBB.pl?num=1340119828 Message started by wade on Jun 19^th, 2012 at 3:30pm

Title: MODEL 1896 Carbine ?
Post by wade on Jun 19^th, 2012 at 3:30pm

I have a rifle that has been in the family for 60+ years and would like to know something about it. The rifle is marked:
US
MODEL 1896 Springfield Armory 42xxx
barrel length is 22 inches, overall length is 41-1/4 inches. rear leaf sight and front barrel band are missing. There is an adjustable peep sight mounted on the rear of the receiver.

I can find no markings on the stock. The stock may have been refinished, as it looks better than the metal.

What can you tell me? If anyone in the Phoenix,AZ area is willing to look at it, I would welcome an informed opinion. I would like to know the value, if any, although it is not for sale.

Thank you.

Title: Re: MODEL 1896 Carbine ?
Post by Dick Hosmer on Jun 19^th, 2012 at 4:50pm

Well, it is very unlikely that you have an original carbine, since that number* is 5,000 above the generally accepted cut-off for the first production block of carbines, and the second block doesn't start for another 25,000. The receiver sight, unless it is one of the ones fitted into the cutoff hole and not requiring a new tapped hole, will further hurt the collector value. The missing parts should be readily available. Value would be pretty minimal to an outsider - you would do best to simply treasure it as a family heirloom.

*a more definitive search could be made with the whole number. If you have had it in the family for 60+ years, it isn't stolen - so there is no reason to be coy.

Title: Re: MODEL 1896 Carbine ?
Post by wade on Jun 19^th, 2012 at 6:14pm

s/n is 42247. The peep sight is attached by a screw/bolt in the left side of the receiver which has a milled relief to provide a flat surface and by a tab screwed into the back end of the sight which protrudes into a hole in the back of the receiver. I haven't seen any pictures similar to this. It appears to be professionally done. Also, the barrel is nicely crowned and there is no missing blueing there or under the peep sight.

I don't plan to restore the rifle; just curious about its background.

Thank you for your comments.
Wade

Title: Re: MODEL 1896 Carbine ?
Post by butlersrangers on Jun 19^th, 2012 at 10:17pm

wade: Does your peep sight look like this one?

redfield-krag_004.JPG ( 88 KB | 0 Downloads )

Title: Re: MODEL 1896 Carbine ?
Post by wade on Jun 19^th, 2012 at 11:17pm

Yes, it looks exactly like the picture except the screw-in aperature is missing.

Wade

Title: Re: MODEL 1896 Carbine ?
Post by psteinmayer on Jun 20^th, 2012 at 12:26am

Sounds like a Redfield 102. Is the front sight banded around the barrel? I suspect that yours is a cutdown (reduced from the original 30 in. barrel to the carbine length of 22 inches). Replacement aperatures are available... although Butlersrangers is the resident authority on Redfield sights!

If possible, please post some pictures so we can get a better idea of what you have.

Paul

Title: Re: MODEL 1896 Carbine ?
Post by wade on Jun 21^st, 2012 at 2:41am

Photos

http://www.kragcollectorsassociation.org/cgi-bin/yabb2/YaBB.pl?action=downloadfile;file=KRAG.zip ( 332 KB | 1 Download )

Title: Re: MODEL 1896 Carbine ?
Post by psteinmayer on Jun 22^nd, 2012 at 12:08am

Definitly a Redfield No. 102. The banded front sight is an 03. Your barrel is absolutely a cut down.