while not the prettiest nor 100 percent correct (rear sight is a rifle sight).  I do believe it is an honest carbine with a 22" barrel and not a cut down.  It falls in the middle of the 2nd block as shown in Mallory 1st Ed and Brophy books.  most of the items I think are correct as near as I can tell by reading and comparing (gate and side plate look correct to me)  the patina on every thing except that rifle sight appears evenly worn.  Cartouche are not readable just can tell there are out lines and maybe some wishful thinking on my part.

---

more pic if i may
also i think the front sight is mounted correctly to the barrel (please verify)

---

last set

---

Your carbine looks like an honest Model 1896 carbine to me.  The front sight appears correct.  It would be worth while to pay the big bucks and purchase the correct rear sight, if you can find one with comparable finish.

Bump for any additional comments or information to help me in my learning experience. 

This is my 2nd Krag the first one being a very late in production rifle, that I luck out with from CMP's last offering of a few hundred.  It was the bet of about 3 dozen in the store when first put out, and to top it off it was tagged as the higher grade, but when it went to purchasing the computer said it was the lower grade so it was sold to me at the lower price.

I have been reading and looking at picture, but that just provides a base of information, experience teaches the rest.

One more time to see if i can get any other comments or suggestions

Looks fine to me - aside from the afore-mentioned rear sight.

I cannot read the serial, but it looks like 7020X - ??. I own 70210, which went to China with the 6th Cav, on the famous relief expedition during the Boxer Rebellion in 1900. I have the numbers of about 65 other carbines with same attribution - apparently yours is not on it since you would have found it if you checked with SRS.