You are correct - it is not correct! The odds are that it was not done officially, either. That said, it appears to have a proper carbine stock, and perhaps even a carbine barrel. Due to the fact that M1896C sights are so hard to find, and so expensive when you do, many people are making do with M1896R sights on otherwise genuine carbines. Can't tell the difference at 5' anyhow. So, it kinda depends on the price - if it's being represented as a blushing virgin with $$$$ to match, run for the nearest exit.

Welcome to KCA and you are very wise, more than most, to get advice on a potential purchase of something you are unfamiliar with BEFORE buying it!

Dick knows, from many decades of telling people, that you should research and/or ask before getting into something like collecting Krags before buying. Many uneducated people buy first and ask about it later, just to find that they have made a bad investment and been duped!

But, even though, as Dick said, your Krag in question is not an original Springfield Armory made carbine, and is missing a correct M1896 carbine rear sight, $500 is a great price! I doubt it will sell for that but the pictures you posted show a crafted carbine that has a nice M1896 carbine stock and possible replacement carbine barrel and hand guard that are worth around $800.

So, tread carefully if still bidding or hold out for a more correct example. It would be nice to find a Krag with a nice cartouche still visible. That adds a lot to the value and historic interest.

Buying a reference book like Poyer's for around $25 on ebay would be a great place to start learning more about Krags.

Thanks for your post and feel free to ask anymore questions. We love to help!

silly me. it is in an 1899 stock, however, one of you smarter guys- does that handguard go with the 1896 rear sight?
Thanks all!

Mark the humbled.

Whig wrote on May 3^rd, 2020 at 1:25am:


Yeah, my knowledge of the Krag rifle was kind of lacking, so I figured I'd better ask before I buy. It's a good thing I did. BTW, that gun sold for a bit over $600. The right rifle for me will show up eventually.

Poyer's book was one of the ones I was looking at getting. I had read good things about it when researching this rifle. It's hard to argue with $25 for a good reference book.

Thanks fellas for the help. I really appreciate it.

Howdy gents, I bought this Krag. Paid $615 after a few bids on Gunbroker. That being said, I bought it with full knowledge of it being a rifle made into carbine form. But for the money, I was comfortable for what it is a shooter faux carbine. What I like about it, is the potential real carbine barrel and stock. I know the sights are rifle and there is a crack in the upper handguard. BUT I prefer the M96 profile flared bolt handle cut stock, and early receivers are just cool. Even though I know it "not correct" for an actual Springfield made carbine. I just like the 1894 marking. No cartouches, is "eh whatever" with me. I've seen more without than still retain them sadly. So for a shooter grade rifle, its certainly not a deal breaker.
I didn't find this thread until today, interesting enough. I was bored at work on a Sunday morning, perusing GB and I saw this with only 45 minutes remaining. I have read Poyer's book very recently and have been in a Krag mood lately so I went for it. I have wanted a carbine for a very long time, but the prices they command have kept me from buying one. My first Krag was about 15+ years ago, a M1898 cut down rifle with a 24" barrel in obvious short rifle form with sights and sling swivels. I sold it a few months ago  for $450, knowing that it never did fulfill my need for a carbine with a 22in barrel and carbine stock. It was a nice shooting rifle though. Great bore and a tack driver.

In my local area any Krags I see are completely civilian cut down hunting modified, and average $500. Original 30" barreled rifles are usually M1898s and are pushing 800-1K. M1896s are 1200-1700, and Carbines are 1500-2500+ depending on if M96 or M99. So for $600 I'm excited for a fairly close representation of a carbine, that I can shoot the snot out of.