I bought a Krag carbine last year and I thought I'd share it with the KCA members to get some feedback and evaluation. I'm not sure about this one and will be interested to get any comments.

I bought the carbine for $375 because it has at least that amount in parts that I might be able to use. It was advertised as having the owner's name scratched into the stock but no mention was made of any significant history. It was advertised as a M1896 carbine and had a M1896 rear sight but I couldn't see the it well enough to determine if it was a carbine sight or not. For the price, though, I didn't care and thought that I'd be well pleased if it was a carbine sight.

When I got it there was paperwork showing documentation that it had belonged to George Kerney and had been issued to him in Troop I 1st Volunteer Cavalry Rough Riders that fought in the Spanish American War. Serial Number 77870 is not listed in the SRS records but a Colt Peacemaker revolver SN: 133251 is listed as having been issued to 1st US cavalry in 1898 which was assigned to George Kerney.

I have included pictures and the documentation I received. There was a Krag screwdriver tool in the butt stock along with a pull through bore brush as added bonuses. The rear sight is a M1896 rifle sight.

I have decided just to keep this carbine as is and not change it. I'll keep it with the documentation. The stock is inscribed with Kerney's name but it looks like "Troop F" and 1930. It has been suggested this was inscribed years later maybe by someone else and may not even be the exact carbine used by him but one that was close and purchased later as a memorial piece.

Who knows. It's certainly an interesting story. I wouldn't represent this as definitely an authentic Rough Riders carbine but it has intrigued me to research and evaluate it.

Some of you are better at research, genealogy and history than I am and might be able to help.

What do you think? Pictures below and documents on the next post.

FWIW - Mallory, "Krag Rifle Story", 2nd edition, page 252, Appendix 19.

Model 1896 carbines issued to personnel of The 1st U.S. Volunteer Cavalry (Rough Riders) in 1898:

(carbine #) 28725  (Co.) I  G. M. Kerney


Whig - Neat carbine and great buy, but, Mallory material contradicts story that comes with your Krag, (In regard to carbine, #77870, being issued to George M. Kerney for service in Cuba).

IMHO - (I am always skeptical of U.S. Military Arms that are reportedly, "brought  home by the soldiers that carried them in the war".
With Krag rifles and carbines being government property, relatively new, and needed for continuing military actions, why would SAW soldiers be allowed to keep their service Krag?
It is realistic to envision a veteran buying a surplus arm, years later, of the type he used in war).

Butlers- Thanks for that Mallory reference. I have Mallory 1st edition and the listing is not in there. I actually just bought Mallory 2nd edition which is in the mail. There are great listings in the 2nd edition that are very helpful, evidently!

This does appear to be a purchase made after the war that Kerney may have bought and marked with his name as a memorial.

Neat story altogether! Wish it had the carbine rear sight.

I'm not sure how you came upon this rifle. But some of your documentation comes from Richard J. Schwan. Did you know him? I believe I found his obituary, so it does not appear that you can contact him for information. If this is the right Richard J. Schwan, it looks like he was an honorable man and would not have intentionally tried to dupe anybody.
So the fact that the stock writing refers to troop F instead of I is interesting, although he served in both. And BR's contradicting info really throws you off a clear trail. It would be interesting to obtain the info where Schwan got his research from.

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Here is a good read on "New Mexico In the Spanish American War". Make sure to click on the "read more". Kerney is being shown as having been transferred in this writing, also.

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So the question is: Would Kerney be assigned a carbine in Troop F and then leave it with that Troop when transferred? Then getting another carbine when getting to Troop I? Was that standard procedure to keep firearms in the troop when transfer of soldiers were made? In my previous reply I snuck another link in after your last reply, so you may want to check it out.

Also note that your documentation handwritten on yellow lined paper is dated 2019. Schwan passed in 2018, so it was probably from somebody else that surfed the world wide web for info and jotted it down.

Ahh....sooo. I had run into some of the web sites you got your info from, also.

Yes, I was thinking Mr. Schwan had to know what he was doing as he was internationally known. So I am more than 50% sure he was correct with his information, just have to prove it if possible. There may be an explanation that allows all this information to make sense.

If there comes a day that this rifle can be linked to George Kerney for sure, it would be nice to have his Military Service Record. Unfortunately, firearm serial numbers are not included.

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In fact, here are the service records for many Rough Riders:

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I believe entries state:

"Sick in quarantine since June 22, 98
Injury contracted in line of duty".

"Appointed Corporal May 12, 1898, per verbal order Reg. Commander.
Reduced to ranks by Issuance of Field Court Martial July 15, 1898.
appointed Corpl. Sept 2, 1898, per Reg. order No.6"

Possibly, Mr. Kerney was reduced in rank because he was in quarantine, due to injury or illness, and unable to perform duties?

Later, he was restored to Corporal, shortly before discharge at Camp Wikoff (Long Island, N.Y.) on September 15, 1898.

I suspect being processed through Camp Wikoff, prior to being shipped home, makes it very improbable discharged volunteers would be taking U.S. government arms with them.