Early Krag receivers did not bear the term 'model'. The date stamped on the receiver was the year of manufacture.

The U.S. Ordnance Department adopted the Krag-Jorgensen in 1892.

Springfield Armory did not begin manufacturing the rifle, that we call the model 1892, until 1894. The receivers were stamped '1894', (no model).

Rifles and carbines manufactured the next year were stamped 1895, (no model). The manufacture of the carbine, that we call a "model 1896", actually started in 1895 and was so dated.

In Early 1896 the carbines were stamped '1896', until around serial number 37000.
After this, carbines and rifles were stamped "model 1896", (regardless of year manufactured), until production switched to the "model 1898" action, around July, 1898.

'Partsdept' - You and your father would probably enjoy an inexpensive paper-bound book, "The American Krag Rifle and Carbine", by Joe Poyer. It sells for around $25 on ebay.
This is a handy beginner's text with lots of good photos, drawings, and information (and some mistakes).