Original U.S. Springfield Model 1892 Krag-Jørgensen Rifle Serial 938 Converted to M1896 – Made in 1894
Item Description
Original Item: Only One Available. This is an extremely rare very early production (1894) Krag M1892 Rifle, one of the FIRST 1000 MADE! It measures was 49 inches (1,200 mm) in overall length weighing 9.3 pounds with a 30-inch (760 mm) barrel.
M1892 Krag Rifles had a magazine cut off that operated in the up position. M1892s can also be identified by the single-piece cleaning rod stored under the barrel. Interestingly, because it took two years to retool for production, model 1892 Krags have receivers dated “1894.” Most of the M1892 rifles were then later arsenal reconditioned to the Model 1896 configuration, such as this example.
This example is one of those reconditioned to the M1896 configuration in arsenal. This involved changing the magazine cutoff to one that operates in down position, and adding three-piece cleaning rod is stored in a butt trap. The front cleaning rod was removed, and the groove in the stock filled with a wood plug, or the stock was replaced outright. An improved rear sight and tighter production tolerances gave better accuracy. The stock was also altered slightly (made thicker). This example does not have a plugged front stock, so the entire stock was replaced when it was updated.
Our example is stamped on the receiver:
Research
reveals that serial number 938 dates to year of manufacture of 1894, the first year of production. This is definitely one of the the earliest Krag rifles that we have ever had. It has the correct second pattern front barrel band with double straps on top, the later bolt with the extractor with pin and the receiver has also been altered for the extractor pin. It has a nice circled P proof behind the trigger guard, indicating the barrel has passed the overpressure testing. It also has a crisp “boxed” stock inspection cartouche by the magazine cutoff that reads JSA / 1902, for J. Sumnar Adams, the Springfield Armory master armorer of the period. This is from when the stock was replaced, so it is possible that it was from after the initial M1896 conversion.
The stock is fitted with a M1896 solid smooth buttplate with a curved toe and butt-trap, which contains a cotton barrel swab on a string. The handguard meets the front edge of the receiver fitted with an updated model 1896 rear sight. These are very desirable as a U.S. military service rifle as most of these rifles saw heavy use in the Spanish-American War and early 1900s until the development of the M1903 rifle.
Condition is very good, with the original blued finish worn to a grayish patina over most of the metalwork. The finish on the barrel is a bit better retained. The stock and handguard are fine plus with a lovely red-brown walnut color on the handguard and stock. The stock shows minor handling marks and very light impressions in some areas, as well as some darker areas on the butt stock near the butt plate, but overall is one of the better stocks we’ve had. Both sling swivels and the stacking swivel are present and in very good condition. Action works smoothly and all components have a nice finish, with a bit of oxidation on the bright areas. The bore is partly bright, with clear lands and grooves, and light overall oxidation haze. It does not look to have seen a lot of firing in service, and the lands are still crisp.
A really good early example of a late 19th century U.S. service rifle, updated after production and ready to display!
Specifications-
Year of Manufacture: 1894
Caliber: .30-40 Krag
Cartridge Type: Centerfire Cartridge
Barrel Length: 30 Inches
Overall Length: 49 Inches
Action type: Bolt-Action
Feed System: 5 round side loaded magazine
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