Beachbumbob has recently acquired a Model 1896 Krag.  He has reported that cartridges are hanging up and not feeding correctly.  He was suspecting a problem with the magazine-door/follower spring.  Bob posted a picture of his side-plate which has a rough interior.  I suspect his side-plate may be a Model 1898 plate that someone thinned down to serve as a replacement for the 1896 plate (which has a thinner tenon).  I do not have a Model 1896 Krag side-plate to compare.  However, looking at my references, it appears both 1896 and 1898 Krag side-plates should have a very sharp bottom edge.  Bob's side-plate has a very blunt lower edge.  This would suggest his plate was ground on the inside to thin the tenon at the front of the plate, which inserts into a mortise, machined into the receiver.  The unusual 'grind marks', on the inside of his side-plate, are probably an attempt to restore necessary clearance.

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