Serial Number / model year ???

[Brad]

Howdy friends,
Just had a person contact me regarding a Krag they want to sell. I have no idea where they got my name or e-mail but what they have seems interesting though they dont say carbine or rifle.
In trying to help them figure out what they have I checked the serial number in my POYER book.
They said its a model 1896, serial number 16025N ??
My book says that is a model 1894??
Also, dont know what the "N" means.
Any help would be appreciated???
Thanks

[madsenshooter]

My guess is that the N isn't an N. Unless it's a 94 that someone added the N to, and that's not easy after the receiver is hardened. If it's something other than an N, it ought to be a model 98.

[psteinmayer]

Any chance we could see a picture of the receiver showing the markings (Model and Serial)? Also some pictures of the entire Krag would be helpful in making a determination as to correctness and value.

[Brad]

I am trying to get a photo.
As always, thanks for the help.
Am I correct in that serial number is from 1894??
Thanks

[butlersrangers]

Brad: Your post throws a curve at everyone because there is No Letter in U.S. Krag serial numbers.

[Rick the Librarian]

16025 started out as a Model 1892 rifle

If the "N" is a number (like "X") the rifle is a Model 1898 rifle.

Simple as that ... :)

[Dick Hosmer]

Brad - this is getting silly about the number(s) - there is another way to solve the "mystery".

Look at the receiver, and stock, around the root of the bolt. Is there a flared bevel in the wood and a "U" shaped ring of metal at the bottom of the cutout, or does the bolt simply sit in a square notch?

[Brad]

Thanks guys for all the input.
My delema is now that my, in aparently all of yours interest is arroused. The person that e-mailed me "out of the blue" wont return my messages??
I had mentioned to them that if altered "cut-off" any value is probably greatly effected.
Well, I havnt heard back. Must have been the case.
But thanks all.
PS, I am still looking for a decent "REAL" carbine if anyone kows where I might find something.
Not real sure just what I can afford right now. But I changed my focus to all Springfields and I do not yet have a Krag Carbine.
Got a great rifle 762 S/N. Would that be a 92??

[Dick Hosmer]

Yes, #762 would be a very early M1892 rifle. Is it unaltered, or has it been brought up to M1896 spec - most were.

[butlersrangers]

'Brad' - The unsolicited e-mail must have been about one of those Nigerian Krags. That is what the "N" stood for!

[Rick the Librarian]

'Brad' - The unsolicited e-mail must have been about one of those Nigerian Krags. That is what the "N" stood for!
LOL!!

[Jackrabbitslim]

'Brad' - The unsolicited e-mail must have been about one of those Nigerian Krags. That is what the "N" stood for!

Just spewed Bombay out my nose! Funniest thing I've heard all day. Thanks!

[Brad]

Hey, you might have something there about that Nigerian Krag!!
That's a good one.

As for my #762, I believe it is in 1892 configuration. Its been awhile now since I made myself familiar with the Krag information, but I think thats the case.
It is though otherwise, unaltered having the full length stock and barrel, complete.
I will see if I have already taken any photos of it and will try and send out on this site. If I cant do that I can e-mail direct to anyone interested.
I think I have a photo of my Springfields attached, which includes the Krag.
All the guns there are either actual Springfields or of Springfield design.
The M1A is of course not an actual Springfield MAss gun.
The early 1770's French Musket is the gun I believe that the first Springfields were design from?
The rest are all Springfields except for the post war HRA Garand
32265

[sdkrag]

I looks like your Krag is an 1892 model updated to 1896 specs. original 1892 rifles have a cleaning rod below the barrel. Just a not, there are no 1894 models. Just 1892s marked with 1894.

[Dick Hosmer]

32282This is an unaltered 1892. Note thin wrist, one-piece cleaning rod, short handguard, no hold-open pin on extractor, full bolt rib, flat buttplate, etc.

[madsenshooter]

Brad's Krag appear to me have a thick wrist stock, could be wrong. Seems quite a few of the early number 92s that got rebuilt found their way into the thicker wrist 96 stocks. Does it have a filled cleaning rod channel in the underside of the forearm?

[Dick Hosmer]

I believe you are correct, though it is an awful photo. Also, remember that to 99.5% of the public, "unaltered" simply means it hasn't felt the hacksaw or met Bubba. Military-length stock, check, military (any) sight, check - it's as issued. You and I are on the lunatic fringe, my friend.

[Brad]

Thanks all, appreciate the advice.
Yea I forgot to tell ta'all that that old "Nigerian" Ktag had initials scratched into it.
BHO ?? And big dings from where it was thrown down when the user ran off

Adios friends

[Jackrabbitslim]

Thanks all, appreciate the advice.
Yea I forgot to tell ta'all that that old "Nigerian" Ktag had initials scratched into it.
BHO ?? And big dings from where it was thrown down when the user ran off

Adios friends

Inspect those BHO initials carefully. There could possibly be a hammer and sickle stamp close by ;)