Lt. John Taylor Haines left us with a gem of a document from 1895. He certainly seems to have been involved as the model 1896 carbine was being developed and readied for issue.

Points that caught my eye:

Cut-off is reversed (from model 1892 rifle) - actually, I don't think that really happened until around 1898?

Changes to bolt and bolt-sleeve are well described.

Jointed 2-sectioned carbine cleaning rod and butt-trap are described in detail, (except two sections are not identical).

The 'New' carbine is similar in weight, muzzle contour, forearm shape, and protective barrel-band to the model 1873 carbine.

There is concern that barrels may be vulnerable to being bent in use (with the short forearm).

There is a delay in issuing carbines, because the rear-sight slide projects and is vulnerable. (Maybe there was a 'carbine' variant of the model 1892 sight)?