Very Odd Marking

[butlersrangers]

On another forum, a newbie has posted some partial & useless photos of a Krag "carbine" with a model 1899 action.
He saw it in a local shop and is interested, but knows nothing about Krags (or obviously, photography).

It has an 1899 action and appears possibly to have a 'school rifle' length forearm. I can just see the edge of a swivel, but not the front barrel-band.

There is a 9 and odd 'bird on a circle' or 'bomb' stamped on the barrel, in front of the rear barrel-band.
I do not recognize the marking (which is in an unusual spot) and it gnaws at me.

It vaguely reminds me of something connected with Spain or the Philippines. (Or maybe a 1903 Springfield barrel)?

The hang-tag says the Krag is in .30-40.
I'm not sure the barrel is a Krag barrel. The barrel diameter looks a bit undersized in the stock.
The Poster did not photograph the sights or an overall view, just some pretty useless views!

Does anyone recognize or have a suspicion on the marks? (I posted advice on the other forum, about helpful areas to photograph).

[butlersrangers]

I don't know if that is a marking or a blemish on this model 1899 Krag. More pictures of the rifle may be coming.

Barrel finish looks rough, and the barrel looks a bit undersize for the stock channel.

[FredC]

I just checked the barrel on my father's 1917 Enfield and the "bomb" is a lot different. Whether each arsenal building them used identical style stamps I do not know. Never had a 1903 in my hands to know the difference in style on them. A lot of the 1917 barrel is fairly slender as i got most of it into the spindle of my old Southbend 9C when I threaded it. A lot of different 30 caliber and 303 barrels out there that could be put on a Krag and rechambered 30/40.

[Mike4MSU]

Here’s the marking on my 1917 Winchester. Agreed, quite different