This carbine has an 1896 year stamp, without the "Model" prefix.   My understanding is that it should also have an 1896 cartouche, (7,111 mfg.).   However, this carbine has an 1897 cartouche.   Was this carbine re-stocked, or was this one, SN 29712, produced with an origional 1897 cartouche stock?

The latter 1896 carbines, with a "Model" 1896 prefix had cartouches 1896-1901, (14,942 mfg.).

Is there a means of knowing if this carbine, SN 29712, was issued to any of the troops participating in The Spanish American war, for example The 2nd, 5th, 6th, or 1st Volunteer Cavalry Regiments?

Dick:

I misnumbered the SN.   I was refering to the carbine in GB, SN 29716

I am trying to make a judgement about its "validity".   Naturally there is a fear of making a cirtical mistake when buying a carbine.

My general impression is that this is not a bad example of a SAW era carbine, even though it might have been restocked.

Is the SN 29716 early enough to have been to "Cuba" ?

Thanks for your help;

geo69jock
Rus

P.S.
This is my "first" posting

Dick:

I now understand that 29xxx is at the early end of the 1895/6 carbine production run and could well have served in the SAW in some capacity.

What do you mean by the 30" stock, (length)?   Would not a rifle stock be longer than one for a carbine?

The 1896 carbine sight should have a "C" in the upper right corner of the leaf, and also have a "C" on the right hand side of the base.  Is there any positive way to determine a FAKE sight?

I shall ask for a close photo !

Thanks;

geo69jock
Rus

Dick:

You will be pleased to know that I won the GB auction for $1,500.00 !

The "seller" turned out to be a very experienced collector.

I asked him for a vertical closeup picture of the carbine sight and another of the cartouche.    He provided both.   I also asked him to measure the length of the stock.

The stock was exctly 30" long, and it is not new wood, so it is not a fake.   It is drilled for cleaning supplies.   The cartouche is a 1897.

Interestingly, the receiver year is "1895", not 1896.   The SN is 29716, so the receiver was produced in the last half of 1895, as part of the first production run.

The "seller" has an "opinion" as to how an "old" receiver ended up in a "newer" stock.

As production progressed some parts were more available than others.   Barrels were slow to be produced.   Thus when final assembly occurred sometimes an "older" receiver was fitted with a "just" produced barrel and a "newer" stock.

When I studied the Krag Association photos of the 1896 Carbine, I noticed that both 1896 and 1897 cartouches were included.  Apparently it is not unusual  to have an 95 /96 receiver with a 97 stock.

You can read the exact commentary.  The GB auction number is #183762781.

I checked the Krag Association pictures of the 1896 carbine sight, along with your discriptions.   With the vertical photo provided, I determined that the sight was not a fake.   The "seller" also mentioned that the second "C" on the right side base of the sight was present.

In any case, the carbine is a "reasonable" buy,for the money involved.

I want to thank you for helping me with this project.   It is obvious that you have much Krag knowledge..


Thanks again;

geo69jock
Rus

update wrong serial listed. It is 27786.