Letter U on barrel band of carbine.

[Whig]

After model 1892 Krag rifles (and the two carbines) with their under the barrel ramrods, very early, and very few, Krag carbines (not rifles) only had two holes drilled in the butt stock to hold a two piece cleaning rod set. These stocks are very rare. Dick Hosmer has one, if I remember correctly. I have some very early Model 1896 carbines and I've looked at a couple hundred but I have never seen one with only two holes. Most of the others thereafter had all three holes drilled in the butt stock for the carbine and rifle. Simplicity of production efficiency.

But, the cleaning rods question is a valid one. A stock, one piece brass barracks cleaning rod was made that is long enough for using for the rifle or carbine by itself. The rifle barracks cleaning rod was 32 inches long and the carbine one was 26 inches long. The three piece cleaning rod set is only around 26 inches screwed together. A soldier could either borrow an extra section from another soldier to reach through the barrel or, as was originally planned, cleaned for the breech side with the bolt removed and then from the muzzle to reach the entire barrel. Oiled cleaning pads were used, not brushes like we use now, so you could reverse directions in the barrel like this.

Simple and effective.

[militarypotts]

Thanks Whig. I'm glad for the detailed explanation. Truth is I'm relieved from your explanation. I was worried that a three hole cleaning rod compartment in the buttstock could only mean it was a long rifle cut-down stock made into a carbine. So many variations on these Krag rifles. That's what makes them so interesting. Thank you again for your detailed answer. I'm feeling relieved.

[militarypotts]

I went to a Civil War Show at the DuPage County Fairgrounds in northern Illinois yesterday. While I'm a 40 year military collector, I must admit that I really don't know much about Civil War items. I will say though, that the amount of history under one roof was overwhelming. These civils war collectors have an abundant amount of merchandise on their tables. Very interesting to see. My reason for attending was to look for an 1899 Krag bayonet, (I already have a very nice 1900 dated one). I also was searching for an original box of 30cal. Krag cartridges. In the whole show I saw one Krag rifle, (a nice carbine) and one Krag bayonet, (not so nice and without scabbard). As I searched every table, I was having no luck at all. Then, there it was! An unopened box of 20 Winchester smokeless cartridges sitting on a table. The gentleman said it was out of his personal collection. Believe me when I say, I was going home with this find! I know they are rare, expensive and hard to find nowadays. $100.00 is what he wanted for them. I asked if he could maybe do a little better and he said because of their rarity and from his personal collection, it was the best he could do.
I said I understood and paid him his $100. All the way home I never even gave it a thought that I just paid $100 for 20 rounds of ammo. I was thrilled to have found an original unopened box for display with my original carbine. It always amazes me how a passion for something you want overrides everything else. It's the thrill of the hunt as they say. "Smells like victory"!!!

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These are photos of the type of box I bought. Mine is unopened.

[scottz63]

Nice find!

[waterman]

That the box is unopened is what determines the scarcity & value. That and our inflationary spiral. What does a box of newly made factory ammo cost? Perhaps yours was a bargain.

[militarypotts]

Thanks scotts63. Amazing how a box of ammo means so much. It's all part of the collecting hobby I guess.

[militarypotts]

Absolutely waterman. These photos were off the internet and not the unopened box I purchased. I still don't know how to upload and post pictures on the site. I can assure you my box of ammo is unopened and will remain that way. For display only, although it's so tempting to look inside the box.

[Whig]

I've shot many old .30 Army rounds through my Krags from vintage boxes like this. Most of it still goes Bang when you pull the trigger. Only a couple duds and hang fires. Many of the cases show split necks after shooting, so, not good for reloading. Good to experiment and have fun with but not from a new box like you picked up. I wouldn't touch them either. Great addition to your Krag collection!

[butlersrangers]

If the box is sealed, how do you know what's in it .... or if it's full?

Talk about a Pig in a Poke .... Show me the money!

[militarypotts]

I don't know what's in the box of ammo, but I just put my trust in the seller. Maybe foolish, but it looks ligit to me. Don't have enough doubt to actually open the box to find out. Looks good in my display though.