20th Century Fox Studio Springfield 1896 Krag .30-40 Rifle 1898 Antique

SOLD FOR: $1,375.00

LSB#: LSB260604CT008

Make: Springfield Armory

Model: Model 1896 Krag-Jorgensen Rifle

Serial Number: 85368

Year of Manufacture: 1898 / Antique

Caliber: .30-40 Krag / .30 Army

Action Type: Bolt Action Rifle with Five-Round Side-Loading Integral Magazine

Barrel Length: 30″

Markings: The left side of the receiver is marked “MODEL 1896.”, “U.S. / SPRINGFIELD ARMORY.” and “85368”. The receiver is additionally stamped “FOX STUDIO” below the Springfield markings. The bottom of the stock is prominently carved “FOX”. The left side of the barrel near the rear barrel band is stamped “K26”. The Fox markings appear to be later property/inventory markings rather than Springfield Armory markings. The exact significance of the “K26” marking is unknown.

Sights / Optics: The front sight is a military blade fixed to a base at the muzzle. The rear sight appears to be the Model 1896 rifle-pattern folding ladder sight mounted to the barrel.

Stock Configuration & Condition: The furniture consists of a full-length military walnut stock and upper handguard with straight grip, straight comb, steel buttplate, barrel bands, and sling swivels. The LOP measures 13 3/8″ from the front of the trigger to the rear of the buttplate. The wood shows extensive scattered scratches, drag lines, compressions, dents, abrasions, and general handling wear consistent with prolonged service and subsequent studio use. The underside of the stock has been deeply carved “FOX”. There are areas of darkening and worn finish throughout. No notable chips or major cracks are apparent in the provided photographs. Overall, the stocks rate in about Good antique condition.

Type of Finish: Blued

Finish Originality: Original

Finish Percentage: Approximately 10%

Bore Condition: The bore is bright and the rifling is well defined. There is light erosion. In this writer’s opinion the bore rates 6/10.

Overall Condition: The rifle retains approximately 10% of its original blued finish. Most of the finish has worn away, leaving the receiver and exposed metal with a gray to brown mottled patina. There are scattered areas of oxidation, freckling, discoloration, handling wear, and light surface erosion. The magazine gate retains patches of darker finish mixed with oxidation and patina. The barrel retains scattered remnants of blue, particularly in protected areas. The markings remain generally clear, including the added “FOX STUDIO” receiver marking and “K26” barrel marking. The screw heads show age and use but retain serviceable slots. Overall, this rifle rates in about Good antique condition.

Mechanics: Action functionality was not provided.

Our Assessment: The Krag-Jorgensen was the United States Army’s first general-issue smokeless-powder, magazine-fed bolt action service rifle, replacing the venerable Trapdoor Springfield and serving as America’s primary service rifle during the Spanish-American War era. Model 1896 rifles represent an important transitional period in U.S. military arms development, bridging the gap between black powder service rifles and the later Model 1903 Springfield.

While the rifle’s military history is significant, a fascinating chapter came decades later when it entered the world of Hollywood. The receiver is prominently stamped “FOX STUDIO” and the underside of the stock is deeply branded “FOX”, identifying it as property of the Fox studio arms department. This was not simply a firearm that happened to be marked for display; it was a working studio gun, maintained and utilized as part of the enormous inventory of firearms used to bring motion pictures to life.

For generations, 20th Century Fox maintained one of the largest and most recognizable studio property departments in Hollywood, supplying firearms for countless productions ranging from historical epics and Westerns to war films and period dramas. While the specific productions this rifle appeared in are unknown, this Krag was undoubtedly part of that creative process — a real military rifle handled by actors, armorers, and production crews as filmmakers worked to create the stories that became Hollywood classics.

The “FOX STUDIO” marking and large “FOX” stock carving provide a rare physical connection between a genuine U.S. military antique and the golden age of filmmaking. The rifle carries the honest evidence of a long working life, first as a U.S. service arm and later as a Hollywood prop department firearm. For collectors of U.S. martial arms, movie memorabilia, and tangible pieces of cinematic history, this Krag offers a unique opportunity to own an artifact that helped play a small part in the creation of 20th Century Fox masterpieces.