‘96 Carbine

[Tenacious Trilobite]

Howdy!

I’m new around here, and I thought y’all might like to see my 1896 Carbine. My first love is the Winchester-Lee, but Krags check a lot of the same boxes for me.

This one’s serial (27752) is nestled right between two of the known Rough Rider carbines. It looks like the known numbers are basically all from Companies G & I. Is there any chance of lists from the other companies ever surfacing, or will those numbers likely just remain unknown?

[Mike4MSU]

Welcome

Would sure love to see more of that carbine. Looks quite nice, if not stunning, from what I can see.

[Whig]

Mr. Trilobite,

Welcome to KCA! We love all Krags but especially Model 1896 Krag carbines! Your Krag carbine was made around Dec. 1895. Very nice to have the sling and ring on the side. We have talked a ton about the SRS documented Krags and have all agreed that the serial numbers that are not documented in the Springfield Research Records are not ones that were used in important wars or other historic reasons to have been added to these documentation records. Even ones that are close to documented ones, like yours, are not the same as actual SRS Krags. Having one from the Spanish American War, Rough Riders, sure would be a treasure! Most of the carbines used in these wars sure show a bunch more honest wear and use than yours does. They had some rough conditions over there and struggled to keep their weapons functioning, cleaned and lubricated well enough to continue working.

But, you have a great one! How is the bore? Anything in the butt stock? Have you shot it yet? Thanks for the post and pictures. I would like some pictures of the rear sight, especially. Is it marked with "c"s to signify it is the correct Model 1896 carbine rear sight? These are very rare these days and sell, by themselves, for $1,000 or more! Hope you have the correct one. Where did you get this nice carbine? Welcome again and enjoy!

[Tenacious Trilobite]

More pictures as requested! It’s not quite as pristine as it looks from afar. The stock was lightly sanded at some point and I need to pull it apart and give the metal parts a good scrub to get some of the old grease and grime off. Unfortunately no cleaning kit in the butt. The bore is just okay as far as surplus rifles go. Should shoot fine, but it won’t win any prizes.

I admittedly don’t know that much about the Rough Riders, but was Kettle Hill only assaulted by those two companies? Surely carbines issued to the other companies would still be desirable. I realize it’s more likely that it didn’t serve with the 1st USV Cav, but I’d still like to know what unit(s) it spent its time with.

[Whig]

Those pictures make me drool! I love the close ups of the saddle ring, receiver and rear sight. Beautiful carbine. And, yes, the rear sight is a correct, and valuable, Model 1896 carbine sight! Great! Where did you obtain this? I'd love to know what you got it for, if you want to share that info. Great Krag!

[Tenacious Trilobite]

I got it from Poulin up in Maine. I got caught up in the moment and overpaid for it, so I'm a little embarrassed, but hammer price was 1600.

[Whig]

Hammer Price. I know what that means. We have a saying in the gun world, though: You didn't over pay. You just bought it a few years too early!

You have an unusual and uncommon Krag carbine. It is not seen very often. I'm sure it is and will be well enjoyed probably more than many things else you could have spent that money on. Good acquisition!

[Culpeper]

Did I hear someone say Winchester-Lee?!

[Tenacious Trilobite]

Oh boy, did we just become friends? I just posted pictures of my 2nd contract rifle in Other Firearms