I just picked up a new to me Krag and wanted to see if this one is an authentic carbine. 

The serial number 77295 puts it as an 1897.  The receiver date does look to me like it says model 1896, but the 6 is not really clear.  The stock seems correct to me, there is a spring on the lower hand guard vs a pin on fakes.  There isn't a cleaning rod channel in the front end of the stock.  There aren't any swivel cutouts and only the saddle bar on the side.  The barrel is 22" and doesn't appear cut to me.  It is the exact same length as my 1900 carbine.  Front sight appears to me correct, but the rear sight does not have a "C" that I can see anywhere.

Thanks in advance for any help.   I'm attaching pictures, some of them aren't very clear unfortunately. 

---