Officially, Springfield Armory made their many changes to Krags for either monetary reasons, perceived strategic battlefield advantages or availability of parts. They tried to make good decisions as to what was changed and when but, as many of us have seen in our foray into the world of Krag, almost any combination of parts goes.

But, what was done at Springfield Armory is not always what you are seeing or figuring out. Since leaving the armory, after initial manufacture or rebuild(s), many (most?) Krags have been changed or altered by well meaning gun smiths, fly-by-night gun smiths and Bubba.

So, you can't look at one incorrect part, as with your magazine cutoff, and try to make a logical determination as to why it was done. Maybe that's the only part someone found when the original broke and they threw it in there thinking it was fine.

"Looks good- must be right!"