Springfield 1896 Krag Carbine .30-40 Bolt Action Rifle 1897 Antique No FFL
SOLD FOR: $1525
LSB#: 220117RW019
Make: Springfield Armory
Model: 1896 Krag Carbine
Serial Number: 76155
Year of Manufacture: October, 1897. (page 233 of Joe Poyer’s book, The American Krag Rifle and Carbine).
Caliber: .30-40 Krag
Action Type: Bolt Action Rifle with Side Mounted 5 Round Box Magazine
Markings: The left side of the receiver is marked “U. S. / 1895. SPRINGFIELD ARMORY 76155”. The barrel band is marked “U”. The rear sight assembly is marked “C” for carbine in 3 places.
Barrel Length: Approximately 22 Inches
Sights / Optics: The replacement front sight is a beaded blade atop a raised base. The Model 1901 Carbine rear sight is an adjustable “U” notched escalator assembly when down (page 105 of William Brophy’s book, The Krag Rifle). The left side of the rear sight base is marked “C” for carbine and “5 4B 3 2 1” for use with the escalator. When flipped up the assembly becomes a sight ladder with a sliding “U” notch & aperture. The sight ladder is marked from “1 – 23”. The top left edge of the ladder and the left side of the sliding blade (on the raised rear sight portion) are each marked with small “C” stamps for carbine.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The stock has a straight grip, cutout for the bolt handle, finger grooves, barrel band and a metal buttplate with hinged door for storage. The grip shows a large repair from a break. Long thin cracks are visible on both sides. The repaired cracks extend from the trigger guard to a few inches from the top of the buttplate. The nose of the stock shows thin repaired cracks on both sides. The front and rear of the handguard show thin repaired cracks. The buttplate shows scratches and surface erosion. The wood shows numerous scrapes, scratches and compression marks. Several have damaged small portions of the surface wood. The LOP measures 13 1/2 inches from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttplate. Overall the stock rates in about Very Good condition as a refurbished antique.
Type of Finish: Blue
Finish Originality: Refinished
Bore Condition: The lands are semi bright and the grooves are light gray. The rifling is deep; less pronounced at the muzzle. There is erosion in the grooves. The bore shows an ME of 3.
Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 60% of its metal finish as refinished. The metal shows scrapes, scratches and discoloration from oxidation. The screw heads show use and oxidation. The receiver markings are faded. Overall, this rifle rates in about Very Good condition as a refinished antique.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. We did not fire this rifle. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance requirements.
Box, Paperwork & Accessories: The rifle has a 3 piece cleaning rod stored in the butt. It shows scrapes, thinning and small areas of light surface erosion. The rods thread together properly. They are in Very Good condition.
Our Assessment: This Model 1896 Krag Carbine was made back in 1897. This 125 year old military rifle has seen some use but has been refurbished. The stock shows repairs and much of the metal has been refinished. The action functions properly and the bore can still put lots of .30-40 down range. Best of all the rifle is an antique so no FFL is required…unless you live in California. Good luck.