Guns International #: 101568984

Category - Springfield Rifles - Antique - Military Rifles - Antique

Category
Springfield Rifles - Antique
Military Rifles - Antique

US Springfield Armory Model 1896 Krag Carbine

Description:
This is a nice unaltered Model 1896 Krag carbine with 22" barrel in .30-40 Krag.  The Model 1896 carbine saw extensive use with Cavalry Regiments that served in both Cuba and the Phillipines during the Spanish American War including future US President Theodore Roosevelt's Rough Riders.   This is a standard carbine with Saddle ring and bar located on left side of stock. Serial number is 70.010 and was built in 1897...perfect timing for one issued during the Spanish American War of 1898.  Of course, the 1896 Krag Carbine is what Teddy Roosevelt's 1st USV Cavalry carried up San Juan and Kettle Hills in Cuba during the summer of 1898.  We checked Springfield Research and found 3 Krag Carbines in the 70,000 range, the closest being 70013, just three digits from this Krag Carbine.  All were issued to the US Army's 8th Cavalry were turned in in 1900.  Incidentally, the 8th Cavalry was sent to Cuba in 1898 and stayed as a part of the occupational force to protect American property and keep the peace until 1902.  The closest one I could find issued to Roosevelt's 1st US Volunteer Cavalry was in the 68,000 range.  Of the 1185 men in the 1st USV, only 119 Krag carbine serial numbers issued to this famed unit were recorded for just 2 companies.   Stock cartouche is pretty much worn off although you might be able to find a trace of it to the right of the saddle bar if you looked closely and used your imagination a bit.   After these Krag Carbines came back from Cuba, most were sent back to Springfield to be cleaned and rebuilt...which included Roosevelt's Carbines.  Rear sight ladder is correctly marked with the letter "C" for carbine.  Many of these carbines were later issued to National Guard units which added modifications like sling swivels and/or sold off as surplus to the Civilian market in the 1920's.  As hunting guns, they often lost their handguards, sights were discarded and recoil pads added.  This one however is a nice original and complete example of the 1896 Krag carbine and aside from 123 years passing, its just as it would have been issued during the Span Am War.
Overall, NRA Antique Good Plus condition with the metal surfaces mostly worn to a light grey patina with strong traces of nickelly case colors visible on the frame, magazine, and cover plate.  Traces of fire blue located on the safety and extractor.  The wood is in good condition for a Cavalry weapon, very solid with the exceptions of a crack in the top of the handguard (these are very thin) which has been mended and a Span-Am era Armorer's or Arsenal circular patch to repair battle damage on the right side of the buttstock near the buttplate.  It is almost invisible but I took a close up of the right side and you might see the outline of the patch if you look very carefully (see photos). Stock shows typical military use with a fair bit of use and handling but solid and good condition overall with no major cracks or breaks showing the typical wear one would find on a cavalry carbine that spent several years in the field.  The circled "P" behind the trigger guard is visible...see photo. Buttplate has trapdoor for cleaning rod..  Nice action and an Excellent Bore.
 

SOLD

Antique: Yes
Rifle Caliber: .30-40 Krag
Manufacturer: Springfield Armory