Hi
The PLAN was to go out and do some load working today, but it was windy. Anyway, I think I worked out the pedigree on my Carbine. This is an 1896 Krag Carbine. The receiver is labeled “1896 SPRINGFIELD ARMORY 35xxx. This serial number indicates that it is a Carbine made during June of 1896. The Table on Serial numbers also states that Carbines in that range may have been used for ammunition testing. It looks just like the pictures in Joe Poyer’s book, but it doesn’t have a Saddle Ring. This could be because the carbine was built to use in ammunition testing, so they didn’t put on the Saddle Ring. This carbine has a Type 2 Barrel Band. The cartouche is JSA 1896 and is shaped like the picture in the book. There is a U and a P (for Proof) behind the trigger guard. The toe of the stock is rounded off as per this era of Krag. The wrist of the stock from side to side is 1.520 inches, but it should have been either 1.8 inches or 1.685 inches. I’m probably measuring the wrong place. The book says that the1896 Carbines were refurbished and got re-stocked in 1900. It appears that this carbine was not restocked (JSA 1896) but did have an 1896 rear rifle sight added instead of the carbine sight. The base is calibrated from 300-600 yards and the leaf is calibrated from 700 to 1800 yards. The grind marks show that it is a Type 1 or 2 rear sight. This was just under $1000 out the door including a new Extractor, magazine spring, and cleaning rod from a second vendor.
The only current fault I have with it is the Safety. It WORKS, but it doesn't go all of the way over from Left to Right. The Safety goes from 0 to about 95 or 100 degrees and stops. I had it apart and cleaned EVERYTHING again, but must have missed something. The safety is ON at about 45-60 degrees somewhere.
Later