Butlers is making an important point that is often lost to a lot of Krag collectors. If the serial number is NOT listed in the SRS, there is no recorded evidence that it was issued to any specific unit or organization. Only the exact listed serial numbers are to be considered documented and legit regardless of how "close" the numbers may be.

There is currently a relatively nice Krag M1896 carbine being sold on Gun Broker where the seller is mis-representing this point by stating the following:

Famously associated with the Teddy Roosevelt's 1st Volunteer Cavalry and the Battle for San Juan Hill in Cuba during the Spanish-American War, this carbine's serial number falls just two digits away from a documented Rough Rider weapon(#27282). A holy grail for Krag collectors, all M-1896 carbines that remain in early configuration are considered scarce, and examples in the Rough Rider Range are rare. A superb find for any student of historic American arms, this unaltered M-1896 carbine in the Rough Riders range would be an excellent addition to any advanced collection.

The carbine serial number for this carbine being sold is not listed in the SRS manuals but is close to some other listed carbines. The bidders appear to be influenced by this close relationship and seller's statement because the price is currently $2,325 which is somewhat high for this carbine, in my experience.

So, be careful in how you might interpret any serial number that is "close" to another listed Krag.

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