Springfield 1898 Krag Carbine .30-40 Bolt Action Rifle Antique

SOLD FOR: $1200

LSB#: 210836DW02

Make: Springfield Armory

Model: 1898 Krag Carbine

Serial Number: 119866. This serial number falls within the Model 1898 Krag Carbine serial number range listed on page 65 of William Brophy’s book, The Krag Rifle (118,894 to 134,256).

Year of Manufacture: August, 1898 (see page 234 of The American Krag Rifle and Carbine by Joe Poyer).

Caliber: 30-40 Krag

Action Type: Bolt Action, Fed by Side Mounted Magazine

Markings: The left side of the receiver is marked “U.S. / MODEL 1898. SPRINGFIELD ARMORY. 119866”. The rear of the bolt handle is marked “1”. The barrel band is marked “U”. The left side of the rear sight base is marked “C” for Carbine. The left edge of the sight ladder is marked “C” for Carbine. The left side of the stock, above the trigger, is marked with a boxed inspector’s cartouche “JSA / 1899” (J.S. Adams, see page 60 of The American Krag Rifle and Carbine by Joe Poyer) and “50”. The bottom of the grip is marked with a “circled P” proof.

Barrel Length: Approximately 22 inches.

Sights / Optics: The front sight is a pinned blade atop a raised base. The Model 1901 Carbine rear sight (page 105 of William Brophy’s book, The Krag Rifle) is an adjustable “U” notched escalator assembly when down. The left side of the rear sight base is marked “C 5 4B 3 2 1” for use with the escalator. When flipped up the assembly becomes a sight ladder with a sliding “U” notched blade. The sight ladder is marked from “1-23” as well as “C” on the left edge. The “C” markings designate this as a Carbine sight.

Stock Configuration & Condition: The stock has a straight grip, finger grooves, barrel band, and a metal buttplate with hinged door for storage. The buttplate shows small scratches and surface erosion. The rear of the handguard shows a large repaired crack. The rear edge of the crack flexes slightly when pressure is applied. The wood shows several scrapes, scratches, and compression marks. Many of the marks have damaged small portions of the surface wood. Most of the marks have been oiled over. The LOP measures 13 ½ inches from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttstock. The stock rates in about Very Good Plus overall condition as a refurbished antique.

Type of Finish: Blue

Finish Originality: Original

Bore Condition: The muzzle & grooves are grey and the rifling is crisp. There is fouling and intermittent erosion in the grooves. The fouling should clean up some. The bore shows an M.E. of 2.3.

Overall Condition: This rifle has lost its metal finish to oxidation. The metal shows scrapes, scratches, and varying degrees of discoloration from oxidation. The front of the barrel shows patches of surface erosion. The metal shows a freckling of light surface erosion. The screw heads show suse & oxidation. The receiver markings are deep. Overall, this rifle rates in about Good to Very Good condition as an 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: None

Our Assessment: This is a true Model 1898 Krag Carbine. Most of the Krag Carbines we see are conversions. The serial number falls within the Model 1898 Krag Carbine serial number range, the barrel is the correct length, the rear sight is a carbine site, and the rifle uses a carbine handguard. The stock has been refurbished so the rifle looks good for being over 120 years old. It’s an antique so no FFL is required…unless you live in California.