Hello Community, I recently acquired this gem and I've done my homework but would like seasoned advice in narrowing it down a little further. It seems to be a very early model krag carbine, serial is 121,xxx. 22" barrel with 1896 rear sight (type 3), but without the carbine marking on either the leaf or the sight itself. The markings on the gun seem correct but the cartouche is too faded for me to read clearly. I've provided some images here.

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Please check it out and let me know what you think. Thanks in advance.

I'll definitely need to pick up Joe Farmer's book, this has me baffled. I first thought it might have been converted. Bubba didn't have his hands on it, but there's a large "C" marking along the top of the stock just north of the trigger behind the bolt. I've never seen this marking on another model before. Considering its rarity, it's def unusual for someone to put it together using the 1896C sight.

It's identical to fig.83 in the manual of the carbine model 1899 but the early serial is throwing me off. I've seen serials much later which are model 1896.

I also thought it might be a 1896 cadet rifle, without having been altered for bayonet and sling...

Finding out its legitimacy is becoming an obsessed mission now.

'ajv': Welcome to the KCA Forum.

It appears to me, after carefully scrutinizing you photos, that the metal and wood of your carbine have been refinished. The metal colors are too shiny and 'modern blue/black', markings are blurred, and the wood lacks crisp lines. I do not see the letter "C" on the stock, you mention, (in your photos). Your rear sight is a Rifle sight and the rear screw is not correct (It sticks up too high and should be flush).
Is there a small "c" on the right side of your front sight blade?

You do have a 'long' forearm carbine stock (which was used on 1899 carbines and 1898 carbines, that were updated). You have a carbine barrel. Your receiver serial number is relatively close to known model 1898 carbines.

(Brophy, in "The Krag Rifle", reported model 1898 carbines had been observed, intermixed with rifles, "...in the range from 118,894 to 134,256".

Dick Hosmer and Joe Farmer have put far more study into the relatively rare Model 1898 carbines, than I. I could be wrong on my observations. I do have a model 1898 carbine (#119,744) that was ruined by 'scope-mounting'. It came in a 'long forearm' carbine stock. It had been 'updated' and has the "circled P" stamp but no 'cartouche'.

(Attached is a photo of an original carbine front sight bade that should be present on your carbine).

butlersrangers wrote on Apr 16^th, 2015 at 5:29pm:


Hi, thanks for the welcome. It's been in the family and stored away for quite some time so as far as I know it hasn't been refinished. If it has it most likely was picked up after being I know no one had it done in the family. The front site doesn't have any carbine markings, much like the rear. The screw on the rear site makes sense if it were put together changing it to use a 1898C.

I've attached an image of the markings I was referring to. I appreciate your help. This is a very knowledgeable community.

One common usage for the large "C" was to indicate that something was condemned. Other meanings are, of course, possible.

As to value - the rifle sight hurts because it fits NO official scenario. If it had a carbine sight it would have the same value as an 1899 carbine. As is, it would be less.

Whether or not it ever was a real carbine would be a gamble at this point. Too many years and too many hands have come and gone to ever be completely sure. A (very) faint hope would be that a long-lost cache of serials turns up in the future, and yours was listed, or there were a bunch of really "close" numbers which would tend to, statistically at least, improve your position.

Right now, you are smack in the middle of the "Great 1898 Carbine Morass" with no lifeline in sight. You do have plenty of company, however! 

Dick Hosmer wrote on Apr 16^th, 2015 at 6:55pm:


I haven't seen another yet that had that marking so that makes a lot of sense. At this point I'm looking for its value to determine its collect-ability rather than sale. If it's not worth keeping in the collection I'll most likely just get rid of it. I appreciate your input. Everyone has been really helpful.

I have the rifle to hold on to if I should decide to get rid of the carbine in question. It's in rougher shape but otherwise untouched.

butlersrangers wrote on Apr 16^th, 2015 at 11:36pm:


That would make sense as it's only in the one spot and it seems this krag has been pieced together. Overall it's pretty clean, with exception to some cosmoline and such as its been in storage. The bore is clean. It was definitely maintained over the years. I'd consider having it cleaned up if I decide to hold on to it.