SRS check and help with this strange Krag

[creggleton]

Hello all! I have had this old Springfield for about 30 years. It was a closet find from West Virginia. I used to shoot it when I was a teenager. It has resided in my safe for a long time now, so I decided to do a little research on it. The more I research, the more confused I have become. I suppose it is a "Franken Krag" but I am not sure. The barrel measures 22" but does not appear to have been cut based on the front sight and the crown. The front stock is longer than any carbine pictures I have seen. It is stamped 1895 and the serial number is 24891. The cartouche is marked JSA 1896. I removed the added on "grip" from the stock and there is a circled P. It also appears to have the carbine rear sight. I have never seen one with the rear sling mount like this so I assume this is also a modification.
Any input would be greatly appreciated.


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[creggleton]

Couple more pics

[m1903rifle]

Looks like a 96C that was put in a rifle stock and then modified to take a bayonet. Does it have a saddle ring?

[creggleton]

No saddle ring on the stock, opposite of the bolt.

[butlersrangers]

'creggleton': I think 'm1903Rifle' has it right.

Krag #24891 is not mentioned, but, falls between Krags #24868 and #24908, two model 1896 carbines, listed in Appendix 20 - "Numbers of Known U.S. Krags", in Franklin Mallory's, "The Krag Rifle Story", 2nd edition, page 258. Early model 1896 carbines had actions dated 1895.

Your carbine metal has been put in a cut-down rifle stock, with a crudely fitted front barrel-band. The barrel muzzle has been 'stepped'. Maybe someone was trying to pass it off as a Philippine Constabulary Rifle or School Rifle. Possibly it's a School rifle 'Knock-Off' by someone like Stokes Kirk or Bannerman. The workmanship is not up to Springfield standards. That rear 'swivel' contraption screams 'Bubba' ! (There is something vaguely familiar about that 'swivel'. It could be made from a lever that had a canvas strap attached to the loop and used for quick tension/release. It does not appear gun related).

In the early 1900s, some model 1896 carbines were eventually updated with 'long forearm' carbine stocks (with no carbine sling-bar), 1901 carbine sights, and 'humped' hand-guards. This may have happened to yours, but, the present stock is an unofficial altered rifle stock.

[Dick Hosmer]

This is a proper "school gun" as they are normally encountered - known officially as the "Model 1899 Carbine Altered for Gunsling and Knife Bayonet". About 7000 arms were so converted, using (mostly) M1899 carbine actions in specially reworked M1898 rifle stocks - the workmanship is flawless.

The pistol grip is from the preceding .45-70 "trapdoor" Springfield, and so is not a Krag accessory at all.

[Ned Butts]

I would like to see more pictures of the rear sling attachment please

[jon_norstog]

Damn! learn something every day! Thanks, guys.

jn

[creggleton]

Thanks for the info. I will post some more pics of the "bubba sling mount" ASAP. I wish I had more info on the history of this one. I know it was used by some very poor folks in WV for hunting long before we found it in a closet.

[Dick Hosmer]

Thanks for the info. I will post some more pics of the "bubba sling mount" ASAP. I wish I had more info on the history of this one. I know it was used by some very poor folks in WV for hunting long before we found it in a closet.

Strange that they did not use the regular lower sling mount. The prep should have been in the stock, and I'd have thought that the right part would have been much easier to find than what was done.