I have what appears to be an all original 1896 carbine, every part on the gun , wood, barrel, etc is correct per every book on own on krags, an 1896 carbine and it appears to have left the factory just as is. The problem, it is a four digit serial number with 1894 stamped on receiver, ie an 1892 and no, it is not a rare 1892 carbine, just standard for 1896.  Has anyone every heard or seen a 96 carbine where they used old in stock receivers to make up a gun?  Will try and get some pics up if my daughter can figure out how to load them on this site. I have one other 96 carbine as well as an example of an 1894, 96, 98 rifle and a 99 carbine but this one is baffling. Thanks in advance.

I suspect that that is the best explanation.
It should be a fun shooter!