just bought a mod 1898 ser#82738

[nibleyroad]

Where can i find pictures of this gun ? Iwould like to know if it is original, or has it been messed with. thanks in advance

[Don_B._in_KS.]

Well I'll be! Your rifle is a Model 1896 built in 1898 and issued that year to Co. I of the 1st North Dakota Volunteer Infantry. Springfield Research Service has issue information for only about 5% of all Krags built so it is somewhat unusual to actually get a recorded rifle.

[Tom Butts]

Go to our photo section. We don't have a picture of an 1896 long rifle (we should do that), but if it is un-cut, your gun should look like the 1898 rifle for the most part.

Best regards,

Tom
[glb]KCA[/glb]

[Lee_T]

Question about Don_B_in_KS response: you said the rifle was built in 1898. Isn't that column on the SRS for the date of issue to the unit listed, not when it was made?
The reason I ask is that my M1896 sn 84300 (a wee bit later than the rifle in question) comes up as 1897 on the "when it was made" link on that same web site....and rifle 84301, just one higher, was recorded issued in 1899.
Another question from this humble Krag novice, were there any M96 made after 1897?
thanks all, Lee ???

[Don_B._in_KS.]

Oops! I just noticed that my list of beginning and ending numbers is by fiscal year and not calendar year. This shifts everything by six months to from July 1 to June 30 rather than Jan. 1 to Dec. 31. It shows 1898 as starting at just undr 66,000 and ending at around 107,000 which is also, I think, the serial number area for the change between M1896 and M1898 rifles in July of 1898. Brophy's date for first delivery of M1898 rifles is July 8, 1898. I'm sorry I don't have a date for the last delivery of M1896 rifles. My M1896 is 100877 and the cartouche date is 1898.

[wrmkrag]

Krag Rifle Serial Number 82,738 would have been turned over to the Springfield Ordnance Store Keeper in the Oct/Dec FY 1897 time period.
As made: it would have had a Type III, Model of 1896 rear sight and a 1897 dated cartouche.
It is of interest to a collector as, it is right on the bubble for the change from the 1897 to 1898 dated cartouches.
Nice, as made, Model 1896 rifles in "as-made" configuration are a scarce item, especially if they have any condition, condition, condition. Most were reworked and have had the stocks scraped making the the cartouche and proof marks weak.

Bill Mook