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1894 4 digit serial number cut down rifle ? (Read 3883 times)
moose
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1894 4 digit serial number cut down rifle ?
Feb 2nd, 2018 at 4:25pm
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New to this site but find that it is chuck full of information and good direction.  Have a new to me 1894 receiver marked with 1896 sights without front band cleaning rod or swivels.  Rifle was cut just infant of the forearm band in a carbine manner but retains the proper upper handguard.  can't read cartouche but has a B buy the trigger guard and Springfield acceptance mark.  Any thoughts? 
  
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butlersrangers
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Re: 1894 4 digit serial number cut down rifle ?
Reply #1 - Feb 2nd, 2018 at 6:34pm
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'moose' - Welcome to the KCA Forum. A complete serial number and some clear detailed pictures will entertain and get information.
  
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moose
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Re: 1894 4 digit serial number cut down rifle ?
Reply #2 - Feb 3rd, 2018 at 12:12am
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I will post pics ASAP, thanks very much for the opportunity to jump in to the site.  Number is 4934.
  
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butlersrangers
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Re: 1894 4 digit serial number cut down rifle ?
Reply #3 - Feb 3rd, 2018 at 3:46am
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Your Krag, #4934, is a model 1892 rifle. It would have been built around August-September, 1894. Model 1892 Krags were built in 1894 and 1895.

Later Krag actions had manufacturing changes and were marked 1896, model 1896, model 1898, and model 1899-(made as carbines).

The first carbines (except for two model 1892 prototypes specimens) were model 1896 carbines. Manufacture started in 1895. These carbines may be marked 1895, 1896, or model 1896.

Note - Although adopted by the U.S. in 1892, Springfield Armory did not begin manufacture of the Krag until 1894. (1894 is a manufacture year, not a model number).

Is your barrel still the full 30 inch length?

A lot of the model 1892 and model 1896 Krags were updated in the early 1900's.

It would be interesting to see if your Krag has its 'early' parts and if your receiver avoided being 'notched' for the 'bolt hold-open pin' introduced on later extractors.
  
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moose
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Re: 1894 4 digit serial number cut down rifle ?
Reply #4 - Feb 3rd, 2018 at 4:11pm
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Thanks very much!  The barrel is at the 30 inch rifle configuration and the bolt hold open pin installed.  I am assuming that it was converted at an armory such as Bresica Ca.  Again thanks!
« Last Edit: Feb 3rd, 2018 at 6:26pm by moose »  
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butlersrangers
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Re: 1894 4 digit serial number cut down rifle ?
Reply #5 - Feb 3rd, 2018 at 11:15pm
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'moose' - Your Krag rifle looks like a good candidate for full length stock restoration. A reproduction forearm could be spliced beneath the rear barrel-band, restoring the stock to its original length.

BTW - Your barrel-band is missing its sling-swivel and the band is on backwards. The "U" on the band should be on the right side of the rifle.

Small parts like sling-swivels, and front barrel-band with bayonet lug, show up on ebay, all the time.

Replica forearms are available from a supplier in the KCA Classifieds or from S&S Firearms, Glendale N.Y.

Your Krag still appears to have a model 1892 Side-Plate and a model 1892 Bolt-Sleeve and Safety. The bolt hold-open alteration was done in the early 1900's.

It would be interesting to see photos of the 'wrist' area and butt plate area of your Stock. Early Stocks has a long slender wrist and flat butt-plate.
  
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moose
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Re: 1894 4 digit serial number cut down rifle ?
Reply #6 - Feb 5th, 2018 at 1:59pm
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That wrist is long and the butt plate is curved as in usual 1896 type with trap.  Pics will follow.  Thanks for your  help and I am looking for a forearm replace and by the way....I reversed the front band!
The restoration is On!
  
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Dick Hosmer
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Re: 1894 4 digit serial number cut down rifle ?
Reply #7 - Feb 5th, 2018 at 3:35pm
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moose wrote on Feb 3rd, 2018 at 4:11pm:
Thanks very much!  The barrel is at the 30 inch rifle configuration and the bolt hold open pin installed.  I am assuming that it was converted at an armory such as Bresica Ca.  Again thanks!


Is the barrel crown in rounded form, or still flat? That would be Benicia Arsenal, which is near San Francisco. I do not know that they performed any of the 92/96 alterations, but they certainly could have. Welcome!
  
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moose
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Re: 1894 4 digit serial number cut down rifle ?
Reply #8 - Feb 5th, 2018 at 3:57pm
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Thanks for your reply.  The Bbl is crowned, rounded not flat.  The wrist area has a B stamp above the Circle P.  just to the rear of the trigger guard.
  
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butlersrangers
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Re: 1894 4 digit serial number cut down rifle ?
Reply #9 - Feb 5th, 2018 at 6:28pm
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The 'B' stamp is for a 'stocker' or 'sub-inspector'. Almost all Krag stocks have a letter or letters in that area.

Here is one with a 'D' (no Circled "P" or Cartouche). Likely a 'field replacement stock'.
  
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