Whig kindly sent me a copy of his work sheets, today, recording measurements and markings he encountered on 58 Krag Bolts!!!

I compared his 'data' with my notes on 12 Krag Bolts that I measured and noted markings.

My impressions:

Whig and I have measured 70 bolts: 8 model 1892, 9 model 1896, and 53 model 1898/99.

The dimension measured was from the recessed "bolt-face" to the rear surface of the locking-lug.

1. On the sample bolts, this dimension ranged from .4600 inches to .4791 inches. (A difference of .019").

2. The average of the 70 measurements was .4736 inches.
(If I threw out the highest and lowest measurements, the average of 68 bolts was .4737 inches. The average for my 12 bolts was .4739 inches). Realistically, No Difference Regarding Averages.

3. 35 of the bolts measured below .4744" and 35 measured above .4741".

There was an amazing array of Letters, Numbers, Symbols and 'punch' marks on the 70 Bolt-Handles.
There were only a couple of pairs of bolts with markings that matched. These 'paired' bolts had different dimensions.

The bolt-face to rear of locking-lug dimensions did not seem to bear a relationship to the markings.

FWIW - It is my opinion the Krag Bolt Markings signaled 'steel lots', production batches, or some inspection process. They do not appear to identify different bolt sizes.