My 1896 Krag carbine

[Rick the Librarian]

Since Liam wanted to see some more activity on the Krag forum, and I haven't posted anything on Krags in a coon's age, thought I'd display my "favoritist" Krag, my 1896 carbine, s/n 77205.

I had wanted a carbine, but assumed they were too expensive and I was too ignorant. About four years ago, a guy on another forum reported seeing an 1896 Krag carbine in a gunshop in New Jersey. I jokingly told him if he didn't want it, I did. To my surprise he PMed me a day or two later and said he couldn't swing it and gave me the shop's phone and email. With the (much appreciated) help of Dick Hosmer and Chuck from Idaho, I got the right questions to ask and it turned out to be a legitimate carbine. A few weeks and $1295 later, the carbine was mine.

It appears to be original, except that it is missing the inspection stamp - I think Dick and Chuck guessed it might be a field replacement stock. As you can see, it has the "saddle ring". The front sight blade is the higher 1898-type. It appears to have the correct rear sight and handguard.

The serial number is about five numbers off several RR carbines on SRS, dang it!! As it is not in "museum quality" condition, I have shot it a couple of times. A nice shooter!

Although I specialize in M1903s, this piece is just as "special" as any of my M1903s and is a part of the "only from my cold, dead hands" section of my collection! :icon_lol:

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[Dick Hosmer]

Hi Rick - it's good to see the old afghan again!

That's a very nice-looking carbine. Glad it all worked out for you. Also, belated congratulations on your photo work for the Man-at-Arms article. That must have been exciting. Did the rest of the numbers ever get logged?

[Rick the Librarian]

Good to see you, too, Dick!!

Numbers? What numbers??:icon_scratch:

[Liam]

Thanks for the Post, Rick.

[Dick Hosmer]

Rick,

Maybe I misread the article - I THOUGHT (by the closing statement that "50 years later, some of the numbers are still unknown") it implied that not all of the British crates had been opened. Maybe they were not all checked while you were there, but were later? Anyhow, the table has 120+ numbers, so I guess that would be all of the crates you saw, plus a few from store records. No big deal.

[Rick the Librarian]

Dick I don't always understand what is put to me - just ask my wife!! :D

Yes, there are three crates that are unopened, which mean 36 rifles. So far, the owner doesn't show any desire to do so. He said he'll leave them for his kids. Anyway, with those I've documented, that makes 151 out of the 200 in the order. Not bad, IMHO.