IMHO - The term "Magazine Rifle" simply means a 'Repeating Arm' that has a reserve of ammunition held in a tubular, box or detachable magazine.

All Krag models, (with the exception of the single-shot .22 cal. rifles, Mann Devices, and maybe sub-caliber artillery devices), are Magazine Rifles.

"Magazine Rifle" was used in Ordnance Manuals both alone and in conjunction with specific models, (such as, Model 1898 rifle).

The term "Magazine Rifle" does not exclusively identify U.S. Krag-Jorgensen rifles that seem transitional and have features that carry-over or deviate from the "pure models".

These 'transitional' arms may have lost interchangeability and deviate significantly from the parent arm, but, "Magazine Rifle" is too generic a term to exclusively define these interesting variations - IMHO.

What do you suppose that the government call them then? They are Magazine Rifles, as are most Krags, but they have multiple upgrades on the 1892 and not all that justified (in the eyes of the government) a new model 1896 designation. So it seems that they are listed as what they are Transitional Magazine Rifle with no year designation. That would seem to be too much of a "mouth full" even for the government. Had the remainder of changes to 1896 configuration not happened so quickly it is likely these could have actually been Magazine Rifle Model 1895. Thus we have another governmental "grey area"
IMHO



(Edited to add missing word for clarification)

No, the Krag was the first repeating rifle adopted for the entire government service. Yes, Henrys and Spencers were acquired, for expediency, during the CW, but never formally adopted as THE official arm. Prior to the Krag, the Hotchkiss and Chaffee-Reece had been issued for trial in small quantities, but not adopted. Hmm, left out the Ward-Burton of 1871, guess I was in a .45-70 mode.

In the time period we are discussing, The term "Magazine Rifle" followed by a model designation appears in ordanance documents and reports etc. It also appears there with no model designation in regards to the rifles built between the Model 1892 and the model1896. Thus it would seem to be accepted if not official designation for these rifles at the time. That is what they called them then and that is what we should call them today lest we go down the Poyer road and make names up to "simplify" history.

I don't like to double-post, but I checked out the "Annual Report of the Chief of Ordnance to the Secretary of War Fiscal Year Ended  June 30, 1893". This report includes the adoption of "The Magazine Rifle, Model 1892, Caliber .30" by the Board On Magazine Arms. I believe the word Arms was used instead of rifle because it would include both rifles and carbines. The report states that the board "examined fifty magazine arms presented by American and foreign inventors". Not sure if this proves anything one way or the other, just found it interesting.

Just go over to Joe's site, he has the lists posted right there and they clearly differentiate the specific models including a "magazine rifle".

In trying to get more educated on the subject, I went to Google Books and found this free book with a lot of good info on the origins of the U.S. Magazine Rifle by the Secretary of War. It has reports on the rifle, ammunition, progress of the re-tooling of the Springfield Armory, reason for delays, etc. Maybe some of you have already seen this report, but for others unfamiliar with it as I was this could be a good read. The name of the book is:
Report of the Secretary of War; Being Part of the Message and Documents Communicated to the Two Houses of Congress. In Three Volumes. Volume III. Washington Printing Office. 1895.
I have not read much of it yet, but did scan it for any tidbits about the rifle.
On the section reporting on the Springfield Armory, it starts with "The work of manufacture of the new magazine rifle has been almost completely transferred to the new shops at the armory, the transfer of the machinery from the old to the new shops having been made during the year in the most convenient manner."

At the time the above mentioned report was made, rifle production was reported at 60 rifles per day. The Secretary of War reported how improved efficiencies were made:
"The most important changes are, first, the introduction of cheaper labor wherever possible; and second, the substitution as far as practicable, of machine for handwork."
Labor laws have obviously changed since then, below is how the report states the labor issue was addressed:
"To accomplish what was desired, it became necessary to replace two old foremen, several inspectors, and a number of old worn-out workmen."
Sounds like they were talking about me. Hey, I'm on vacation right now.
Back to the topic. In the beginning was the Krag-Jorgensen rifle design. It was adopted by the U.S. after requested design changes were made. It was given a new name, the same method previous rifle names were made. It became our rifle and we called it the U.S. Magazine Rifle (followed by more description). A big deal was made about it being a foreign design and the Krag-Jorgensen name was likely thrown about to emphasize this by some. Krag is a catchy name, isn't it? When pronounced wrong it rhymes with flag. How patriotic?