Make: Springfield Armory
Model: 1898 Carbine
Serial Number: 133942
Year of Manufacture: 1899
Caliber: .30-40 Krag
Action Type: Bolt Action, Fed by Side Mounted Magazine
Barrel Length: 22"
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a blade pinned to a slotted base fixed to the front of the barrel. There is a small "C" stamped on the right of the blade. The rear sight is a model 1901 Carbine sight screwed to the barrel.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The stock is a Model 1899 Carbine stock with Model 1901 handguard. The stock has a barrel band secured by a spring-clip, finger grooved forend, straight grip, straight comb, and smooth steel buttplate with trapdoor over a storage compartment holding a three-piece cleaning rod and oiler. There is no provision for sling mounts. The bottom of the wrist is marked "N" without proof or inspection cartouche, indicating replacement outside an Armory. The stock has some scattered nicks, dings, scuffs and scratches. There are no chips or cracks. The LOP measures 13 3/8" from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttplate. The plate has mostly worn to white or gone to patina with some scattered oxidation. Overall, the stocks are in Very Good condition as not original to the gun.
Type of Finish: Blue
Finish Originality: Refinished, likely Arsenal refurbished.
Bore Condition: The bore is gray. The rifling is worn, but generally well defined. There is erosion and light pitting scattered through the bore. In this writer's opinion, the bore rates about 5/10.
Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 85% of its current metal finish. The finish is thinning at most edges. There is some wear at the edges of the magazine and sideplate with the worn areas going to patina. There is some minor oxidation on the bolt, most notable on the handle. The trigger guard has mostly gone to patina. There are some light nicks and scratches. The action shows operational wear. The screw heads range from sharp to lightly tool marked with strong slots. The markings are clear. Overall, this rifle rates in Very Good condition as refinished.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. We did not fire this rifle. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance requirements.
Box, Paperwork & Accessories: Includes the three-piece cleaning rod and oiler in the buttstock.
Our Assessment: The Springfield Model 1898 Krag was the first widely adopted American rifle in the transition from single-shot black powder arms to modern smokeless repeating rifles. Adopted by the U.S. Army in the closing years of the nineteenth century, the Krag-Jorgensen system brought with it a smooth, side-loading magazine and refined bolt operation that were well ahead of their time. Carbines such as this were issued primarily to cavalry units, where compact length and lighter weight were essential for mounted service during the Indian Wars era and the Spanish-American War. The .30-40 Krag cartridge was America’s first smokeless military round, valued for its mild recoil, accuracy, and effectiveness, even if it was soon eclipsed by higher-velocity designs.
Chambered in .30-40 Krag, this carbine was produced in 1899 and is fitted with the correct 22" barrel, a replacement stock and Model 1901 sights. Given the later sights and properly marked replacement stock, we suspect that this was the result of an arsenal refurbishment, though it does not have stock markings which would indicate return to Springfield or another major Armory. Please see our high resolution photos and good luck on your bid!
