New with 1896 Krag etc

[Robt]

First I would like to dedicate this post to my Uncle. Major John Capner Hansen. US Army Medical Core. Korea, early Advisor in Viet Nam with two terms, cold war Eastern Germany etc. My Grand Father and Uncle John started my collection. When in Viet Nam once his convoy was ambushed and all of the guys in the jeep directly in front of him were killed. Another time he and his best friend were to go for jeep rides they were going to do so when as they walked out to the jeep someone called him back to the office. He told his friend to go ahead by himself which he did. The jeep was bobby trapped and his friend died a slow agonizing death. He used to send me birth day gifts as a child. Once when he was in Viet Nam I received a birthday card. It simply said "Im sorry I could not get you a gift this is a war zone." I dont have much else of those gifts but I have that card. John Died in pain with cancer on the way to the VA in pain turning left in front of a suburban. He was actually called a Rennaissance man by some. A Brilliant thoughtful human being obviously well regarded by the many who attended his funeral in both the service and otherwise. I miss you. Secondly, I would like to publicly thank the CMP for their efforts to supply us with historic arms. I appreciate especially the Krag rifle sent me recently.
Now to my new toy. This is a 1896 Krag full length rifle. Correct me if I am wrong it appears to be in remarkably original condition I mean no really odball stuff. The muzzle measurement was listed at 1+. Stock is nice at least to me no big digs. A lot of bluing is left on it with enough wearing to give it the appearance of a fine patina. Cartouches are vivid but the large cartouche on the LH side says 1901. It has the correct relief for the bolt in the stock with a 1901 Cartouche which really puzzels me? Mechanically everything seems sound. I found this 1898 bayonet in a local antique store for $75 which I also considered to be a score. The bore was dark with mirror towards the receiver. I used a copper/brass brush/swabbs and PB blaster and Hoppies oil it looks butter definatly still getting black swaps but did not want to over do it. Serial number 400X Comments appreciated. Bob

[butlersrangers]

'Robt' - Welcome to the KCA Forum. Nice looking Krag and interesting memories of your Uncle and recollections of his service in Korea and Vietnam.

I would be interested in seeing a photo of the right-side of the stock & action, showing the bolt-handle recess area.

It is possible that someone 'adapted' a model 1898 rifle stock to accept a model 1896 receiver.
I suspect this, because the action appears (to me) to be hung up a bit and not properly seated in the stock.
Also, a 1901 'Acceptance Cartouche' doesn't make any sense on a model 1896 Krag stock.

If this rifle was a Veteran Organization 'turn in', there is the possibility, that in the past a model 1898 stock was unofficially adapted to replace a broken model 1896 stock. (This would explain the 'illogical' 1901 cartouche).

[Whig]

Robt, Welcome to KCA! I have been glad to see some newcomers from recent CMP Krag acquisitions.

Thank you for sharing the fascinating stories of your uncle Major John Capner Hansen. He must have been one of the few veterans of active duty who was willing and able to talk of his terrible experiences on the front line in Vietnam. Not being from a military family of this kind of duty, I can't imagine the battle wounds physically and mentally these brave soldiers suffered the rest of their adult lives after a war like Vietnam. Thank you for sharing these.

The CMP Krags seem to be turn-in rifles from veteran organizations which were mostly used in parades and training exercises after they were taken out of active use by the army. Later Model 1898 Krags, like yours, probably never saw any active use in any war or skirmish. Therefore, wear and bore damage is most likely the result of heavy use of corrosive ammunition for hunting or blanks shot for parade use by these organizations like the VFW and National Guard. Most of the bores we have heard about on the CMP Krags recently have been heavily pitted and damaged. Hopefully, when you get yours cleaned up well, it will have good rifling which can help it still shoot quite accurately. The CMP doesn't clarify the bore condition of these Krags they are selling. Muzzle wear is relatively irrelevant. Keep us informed.

But, you have a nice looking Krag to learn from and use. Check the bolt and chamber well before shooting to make sure it looks sound and also check the firing pin. Some veteran organizations cut or removed the firing pin so it could not be shot during drill practice. If any parts are needed, check www.granpasgunparts.com for what you need. Was anything in the butt stock where the oiler and cleaning rods are kept?

Thanks for sharing and welcome again! Post more pictures when you get a chance.

[butlersrangers]

Whig - Robt's Krag has a Model 1896 receiver. It appears, that he has a five digit serial number, in the range 40,XXX.

If so, it was assembled around August of 1896. There is something very incongruous about the [1901 cartouche] stock.

[Whig]

Thanks for the correction. I mis-read his initial post and saw the "400X" serial number and thought it was referring to a 400,000 Krag. That's one of the problems with people not posting the exact serial number. I hope he gets the bore cleaned out well!

[Dick Hosmer]

I too would like to see good clear photos of the bolt notch, with the receiver out of the stock. Clearly the number is 40XXX. That said, we know they made 32" M1899 carbine stocks with the 1896 cut, so I guess it is possible they made some for IRAN (tip of the hat to Joe Farmer) rifles too? Also, bear in mind that the cartouche was meant to show the year accepted into Ordnance stores - it does NOT (while certainly most desirable to purist collectors) have to "match" production. Of course a great many do, but the two are not actually directly related. Rule of thumb is that you can have a date 'later' than a number, but not vice-versa.

[butlersrangers]

A 1901 acceptance cartouche on a model 1896 makes no sense, at least on the surface.

A New 'Replacement' stock would not have a cartouche. A reused 1896 stock would be dated 1898 or earlier.

[Dick Hosmer]

Ahh yes, the surface, but we've all seen some 'strange' things... The bolt cut pics will hopefully clarify things.

[Robt]

I was aware of the Legion use of the guns and how they are often rendered un fireable but the CNP said these came back from the Philipines and so I felt that was unlikely. The relief and the two sections noted on the LH side seem tight to this lay person. The 1901 Cartouch and the bolt early to match bolt relief which to my eyes fits perfectly is a puzzle. I removed the bolt but are unsure how to expose the pin without taking the whole bolt apart? What do you think of the bayonet? Here are some more pics.

[Whig]

I sort of doubt your Krag rifle, in this beautiful stock condition, came back from the Philippines. That bolt handle scallop cutout is so clean and neat it looks like it was cut yesterday! Wow! Nice looking rifle.