I don't like to double-post, but I checked out the "Annual Report of the Chief of Ordnance to the Secretary of War Fiscal Year Ended  June 30, 1893". This report includes the adoption of "The Magazine Rifle, Model 1892, Caliber .30" by the Board On Magazine Arms. I believe the word Arms was used instead of rifle because it would include both rifles and carbines. The report states that the board "examined fifty magazine arms presented by American and foreign inventors". Not sure if this proves anything one way or the other, just found it interesting.