Hello, Folks,

I just bought an 1896 Krag Jorgensen rifle made in 1898. Supposedly, the gentleman's father belonged to a VFW lodge who, after doing the 21 gun salute when his father passed away, they closed the lodge and gave his family this particular Krag with its parade sling.
I never have seen a Krag in as good condition as this one (I have many other military rifles dating back to 1820, and have seen none in this fine condition, as well).
Much of the blue on the receiver has picked up a plum patina. The barrel exterior is black. The wood may have been refinished at some time. The inside of the barrel shines, with no pitting (maybe a little dark).
It is in such good condition, I wonder if I should shoot it. But that is me being compulsive. ::) :)
After this email goes through, I will post some images and hope that the Krag is what I think it is.

Thanks,
Ron

Her are some photos:
  (You need to Login   (You need to Login
  (You need to Login   (You need to Login
  (You need to Login   (You need to Login
  (You need to Login   (You need to Login

  (You need to Login   (You need to Login
  (You need to Login   (You need to Login
  (You need to Login   (You need to Login

  (You need to Login   (You need to Login
  (You need to Login   (You need to Login
  (You need to Login   (You need to Login

  (You need to Login   (You need to Login

I'll take some photos of the chamber later, but it looks in almost perfect condition.

Ron

The wood has been shortened and it would appear that the metal has been reblued. Measure the length of the barrel from the face of the bolt to the end of the barrel ( just insert a cleaning rod down the bore with the bolt closed,mark the end of the barrel on the rod, and measure ). Carbine barrels were 22" and rifle barrels were 30".

It kinda looks like the reciever and bolt have had a treatment of Belgian brown type bluing (popular in the '50's) done to them. If the barrel length is 22" and the turned down portion at the muzzle is sized to fit a Krag bayonet then it could possibly be a '96 schools rifle modification? The barrel band should have the "U" on the other side, btw.

Thank you. I will do that.

Ron

The barrel is 22". There is a "U" on the barrel band.
There is a bayonet attachment point that can be seen on the front barrel band.

With the comments so far, is it possible I have been "taken" on the purchase of this rifle/carbine?

Thanks,
Ron

for clarification on my part, the sling barrel band is on backwards, U should be on other side. The plum color is an aftermarket finish of some type, the bolts were always left in the white I believe. The bayonet turn down I referred to is at the muzzle of the barrel and if original somewhat rare and a possible feature of what is know as a "Schools Rifle". Others on this site will surely give you more info than me. as far as being "taken" that would certainly depend on what you paid.

The barrel at the muzzle looks like it has been turned down on a lathe. The turned down area goes from the end of the barrel to about the front edge of the base of the front sight, a distance of about 1/2".
The rifle, in comparison to photos I see on the net, is too short to be rifle, but the forestock extends too far toward the muzzle to be a carbine.

Ron

RonC:  Your Krag rifle stock has been shortened by someone.  Not very likely by Springfield.  The barrel appears to be a carbine barrel. It appears altered to take a Krag Rifle Bayonet.  This alteration was done at one time by Bannerman, Stokes-Kirk, and others to make Krags useful for youthful students at military schools.  The U.S. Government did officially make a similar looking rifle for the Philippine Constabulary, but these were made on Model 1899 actions and are quite rare.  As someone suggested, your rifle was hot-blued by someone in recent times.  That finish does not take well to hardened gun parts and gives that weird 'bronze' finish.  IMHO, Your rifle's value is tied strictly to its utility as a shooter, around $300.  The re-finish harms its value as a parts gun.  It would be interesting to know the serial number on the receiver in order to find out if the action is in a known 1896 Carbine range.

Thank you for that information, butlersrangers. It looks like I overpaid for it.

Regards,
Ron

RonC:  Out of curiosity, how high do the numbers go on the 'ladder' of your Krag's rear sight?

The highest number on the rear sight, on the left column, is 18.

Ron

RonC:  That's an 1896 Rifle sight.  I was hoping that you had the 1896 Carbine sight (they are marked '20').  The carbine sight can fetch around $500.  Sorry!

butlersrangers wrote on Jun 26^th, 2012 at 11:23pm:

RonC:  That's an 1896 Rifle sight.  I was hoping that you had the 1896 Carbine sight (they are marked '20').  The carbine sight can fetch around $500.  Sorry!

I appreciate all the assistance and expertise here!

Thanks,
Ron