How many cleaning rod holes in the thin-wrist stock? Three, or just two - one directly over the other? What is with the two holes where there is no mortise? Plugs? Something else? Just seeking more info - do not have an easy answer.

My GUESS would be that it might be a 1901-vintage field replacement stock which someone has fooled with at the wrist. Basically, such a stock should not exist.

I have heard from a couple other Krag collectors that tell me there are 1896 replacement stocks that were made after the 1899 carbines. Since the late 1898 and 1899 carbine models did not have the saddle ring, replacement stocks for any 1896 carbine remaining in service did not require the saddle ring feature?

Sounds reasonable.  Can anyone else confirm?

Thanks

Cat Man

Guilty as charged! Sorry I did not complete the inspection task for DH.

Both stocks have locations for three cleaning rod sections. The mystery stock does not have the relief cut for the oiler in the upper opening.

In Frank Mallory's book, the author does answer some questions in Appendix 9 about 1896 stock changes.
- Cleaning rod holes standardized to three in all stocks. March 1896
- Oiler seat cut added August 1897
- Swivel ring and plate omitted Dec 1898

So still a mystery of sorts. If mfg after Dec 1898 it should have the oiler cut in the but and we still don't understand the cuts on the sides of the trigger cut out.

Thanks for helping.

Cat Man