1896 Krag Rifle Question

[ca2azpi]

I recently picked up an 1896 Springfield Krag Carbine. I noticed that it has two holes drilled on the side of the receiver. The full size 1898 that I own does not have these. Are they for an alternate location for the saddle ring assembly. Anyone know why these hole would be there?

[JacobCR03]

It sounds like it wore an aftermarket rear sight at some point in it's past.

[bruceflinch]

Old scope mount? Don't think those would be original.

[Flintlock Tom]

Depends on the size and location (pics?), but, it could be for an aftermarket peep-sight.

[Mike A]

I'm just not sure anymore if Krag carbines HAD sling rings or bars; have forgotten. Seems to me they didn't .....but you need to look up a pic in one of the many references on US military arms.

There were MANY aftermarket sights, both aperture/peep and scope for the Krag because they were so cheap anybody could own one once they were surplussed. There was even an "Armstrong"! A good source of info on Krags are the various threads on the "Custom Single Barrel Rifle" forum (or something like that, it's the fifth forum on the website) at www.doublegunshop.com/BBS There are guys there that kind of specialize in custom Krags.

Another good source of info is the Krag forum on www.gunboards.com/forums It is WAY down their forum list, next to the other "Scandinavian" arms designs.

Finding what sight fits those holes presents a huge problem. First you need to know what sights were made for Krags. Nick Strobel's book on "Old Rifle Sights and Scopes" is a good place to begin, but hardly covers all the possibilities.

Then you need to FIND some reasonable candidates, which is very hard since most of them stopped being manufactured over 50 years ago.

Easiest solution would be to find some plug screws to fit the holes (I assume they are tapped?) and well, um--screw 'em! That's as close to original as you are gonna get barring a TIG job, which costs some $$$ and requires some further restoration.

Next would be to start looking at sights that are still available and see if something fits.

Good luck; a nice find. Krags contributed more to our history and the history of the Western hemisphere than many people recognize.

[gunboat]

The 96 carbine does have a sling ring and bar. The 98/99 does not.
the ring and bar are attached to the stock about 1 1/2" above the trigger guard. It does not attach to the receiver.
It is possible you have a restocked 96 carbine, or a rifle cut to carbine and restocked.
The drilled holes -- If on the right side of the rear bridge are likely for a aftermarket sight. If on the left side of front ring, perhaps for a weaver side mount scope.

As stated before -- the holes can be filled with a screw, cut off, and carefully filed flush-- a light touch of cold blue will blend with most old untouched finishes. It makes an almost invisible repair.
Before wasting time and energy closing up the holes you need to make sure your weapon is an actual carbine.

No matter, presuming a good bore, you have a very enjoyable shooter.
Buy all small lots of brass and ammo you see, It is no longer plentiful.
It is an easy cartridge to reload, lyman 311291 and about 30 gr of ball c make a fun shooter.
my tuppence.

[Flintlock Tom]

Still want to see a photo!
This is a sad hole in my collection.

[w55]

I have a "carbine'' got at the gridley pawn shop in 85, it has same deal, two little holes. At time thought was original, but probably cut down, oh well at 90 dollars still neat.

[gunboat]

Often, the give away on a cut-down is the front sight. The issue sight is silver soldered on and usually does not survive the barrel shortening conversion.
Often 1903 front sights were installed, or sometimes the original sight was "soft" soldered back on.
Many cut-downs were re-stocked with late model surplus carbine stocks.
An altered rifle stock will often show the cleaning rod groove or if cut down far enough the barrel channel is exposed and filled.
The upper hand guard was usually tossed.
In some cases serial numbers can be used to identify carbine models.
Krags are mucho funo

[w55]

Often, the give away on a cut-down is the front sight. The issue sight is silver soldered on and usually does not survive the barrel shortening conversion.
Often 1903 front sights were installed, or sometimes the original sight was "soft" soldered back on.
Many cut-downs were re-stocked with late model surplus carbine stocks.
An altered rifle stock will often show the cleaning rod groove or if cut down far enough the barrel channel is exposed and filled.
The upper hand guard was usually tossed.
In some cases serial numbers can be used to identify carbine models.
Krags are mucho funo

Thanks for the info! yeah they are neat guns, I also have a untouched rifle, and my uncle has a shortened Krag also. My dad use to hunt with his quite a bit in the 50's