Previous U.S. magazine fed military rifle. Official government designation is United States Magazine Rifle and Carbine, Caliber 30. First U.S. (.30-40 Krag) military repeating rifle to shoot smokeless powder ammunition. Approx. 475,000 mfg. by Springfield Armory 1894-1904.
There have been many alterations and conversions of Krag-Jorgensen rifles - some of which are hard to identify. As a rule, these alterations and conversions almost remove any collectibility, and pricing is determined mostly by its competitive shooter value. Since prices for upper condition (95%+), original Krag-Jorgensens have increased significantly in recent years, beware of non-original guns, conversions, and in some cases, fakes.
KRAG-JORGENSEN (30/40 KRAG) Models
30 in. barrel, traditionally, these models have been categorized as either Type I (solid upper band) or Type II (double strap upper band), but this is too simple a definition - there were many variations. Ordnance documents list approx. 14 changes that were made during the production run, and examination of original rifles have found many more. 24,562 mfg.
22 in. barrel, rare, only 2 known - one in a government museum, and the other in a private collection.
numerous variations of Model 1892 rifles arsenal altered to Model 1896. 21,264 altered.
rare, 2 variations - 400 in the 18-19,000 serial number range, with 1894 dated receiver, 4 in the 35,XXX serial number range with 1896 receiver, both have 1896 dated cartouches, three of the 400 were surveyed or condemned, and the remainder were converted to service rifle configuration. 3 of the group of 4 are known - 2 are in private collections and one is at West Point. 404 mfg.
these rifles were produced prior to the official introduction of the Model 1896, receiver dates 1895 or 1896 with the MODEL prefix, cartouche dates will be 1896. 1,368 mfg.
receivers marked Model 1896, cartouche dates are 1896, 1897, and 1898. 60,528 mfg. - receivers stamped "MODEL 1896", with 1896, 1897, 1898, or 1901 dated cartouches (rare), rear leaf sight, first type graduated for 700 to 2,000 yards, and 14,942 were mfg. with the second type sight graduated for 200 to 2,000 yards.
a "crash" program was started in the spring of 1895 and completed in May, 1896 to arm the regular cavalry, receivers dated 1894 (rare) 1895, or 1896 with no MODEL prefix, 1896 cartouche date. 7,111 mfg.
rear sight leaf graduated for 700 to 2,000 yards and will be stamped at the top right with a "C" and the base will have a "C" on the right side.
some 25 variations exist in this model. 342,526 mfg.
scarce and rare in authentic original condition. 5,002 mfg.
scarce/rare, most were destroyed. 100 modified.
numerous variations, sight and handguard changes. 36,052 mfg.
scarce/rare, most were destroyed. 100 modified.
26 in. barrel, rare. 100 mfg.
records from the Bureau of Insular Affairs show that the civil government of the Philippines purchased Model of 1899 carbines, and had them modified by the U.S. military at the Manila Ordnance Facility. 4,980 converted.
officially known as the United States Magazine Carbine, Model of 1899, Modified for Use with Knife Bayonet and Gun Sling, these were carbines and stocks modified between 1906-1916 at both Springfield and Rock Island, examples of Springfield modification have been observed with a block J.F.C. cartouche. 3,371 carbines and 6,118 stocks converted.
original carbines and cut down rifles were sold by the DCM to NRA members and others during the 1930s-40s, widely imitated by commercial vendors.