Scarce Springfield Model 1899 Krag Cavalry Carbine c. 1901

This is a very good condition and original Springfield Armory Model 1899 Krag Cavalry Carbine. This particular model was the last of the Krag Cavalry Carbine designs.

Model 1899 Krag Carbine production began in September 1899, at serial number 226,701. This carbine, serial number 359413 and was manufactured in 1901.

The Model 1899 Krag Carbine incorporated several changes from the Model 1898 Carbine. The Model 1899 Carbine Stock is approximately 2” longer than the Model 1898 Carbine Stock. The Model 1899 stock also omitted the swivel bar inletting on the left side. The Model 1899 Handguard was also lengthened, making it roughly the same length as the rifle handguard.

This Carbine has its original Model 1899 Carbine Stock, also known as the Type 4 Model 1899 Carbine Stock, which is in fine condition and has the long nose. There were three variations of the Type 4 Carbine Stock, and this is the original configuration, Type 4A, version. This stock has the three holes in the butt stock for the cleaning rods. It also has the squared bolt recess inletting. It correctly does not have the swivel plate inletting or the rifle lower band inletting (as done on some Type 4B carbine stocks).

The left side stock flat has the correct, clipped corner, boxed cartouche with script “JSA/1901” stamp, which is the stamp of Springfield Armory subinspector J. S. Adams. The bottom of the stock wrist also has the firing proof stamp of a script “P” inside a circle to the rear of an “85” stock inspection stamp. There are no other refurbishment or arsenal marks on the stock. The stock has normal dings and scratches, but no cracks or chips noted. The stock retains its original oil finish.

The original Type 2 Buttplate is present. Both single-slot buttplate screws are present and both retain faint traces of their original blued finish. The buttplate tang and back (along with the exterior surface of the compartment door) are largely in the white. The compartment door has the correct assembly numbers stamped on the inside. Inside the butt trap compartment is the original nickel-plated brass oiler, which is in fine condition.

The Handguard on this carbine is in fine condition and is the correct Model 1899 Carbine Handguard for using the Model 1896 Carbine Rear Sight. The Model 1899 Krag Carbine was originally designed and issued with the Model 1898 Carbine Rear Sight, but the ammunition for that sight was too hot for the bolt and a less powerful cartridge was then issued, which was calibrated to the earlier Model 1896 Carbine Rear Sight, and Model 1899 Carbines were then retrofitted for the earlier Model 1896 Rear Sight. The handguard has the sight protective hump at the front to protect the sight when inserted into the carbine scabbard. The rivets are slightly recessed. The handguard also has a few minor dings and scratches, but no cracks are noted. The original oil finish is present on the handguard. The Band is fine condition and correct Carbine Lower Band, Model 1899 Carbine, Type 3, which retains 75% plus of the original blued finish. The right side of the band has the correct serif “U” stamp. The barrel band spring is present and retains 90% of its original blued finish.

The Barrel on the rifle is the original 2nd Type Carbine Barrel, which was used from the beginning of Model 1899 Carbine production until production ceased. The barrel is in very good condition. The rear of the barrel, visible through the receiver, shows the correct slightly rounded profile. The barrel exterior retains 95% plus of the original blue finish. The original crown is present and remains correctly polished to the white. The bore is shiny with strong rifling still present and with moderate frosting in the lands and grooves. The chamber area is still very clean. The original Krag Front Sight Stud and Front Sight blade are present and retain considerable original blued finish. The Front Sight Blade is the correct Carbine type with “C” stamp on the right side.

The Receiver is in fine condition and retains the vast majority of its original dark oil finish as does the side plate. The interior portions of the receiver retain the majority of the original case-hardened finish. The left side of the receiver has the serif “U.S.” stamp over the 2nd line, which reads, “MODEL 1899. SPRINGFIELD ARMORY. 359413.”

The Trigger Guard retains traces of its original blue finish, with the majority exhibiting a pewter patina. Both single-slot Trigger Guard Screws are present, and both are unmarred and traces of the original blued finish. The Trigger retains considerable original oil finish.

The Magazine Assembly functions perfectly on this Carbine. The Magazine Gate retains traces of the original dark oil finish with wear on the edges and in protected areas with the majority now exhibiting a pewter patina. The Carrier retains 98% of the original dark, heat tempered color, and the follower remains in the white. The Hinge Bar Head and Pin also retain the majority of the original dark oil finish. The Magazine Cutoff is the correct 6th Type with five grooves cut into the end piece. The bottom side of the cutoff retains remnants of the original straw finish with the majority now exhibiting in the white. The top flat retains the majority of the original blue finish.

The original Bolt retains the vast majority of its original polished finish with the handle and knob taking on a slightly dark patina in places. The bottom of the bolt handle root has a “2” assembly stamp and the rear side of the bolt has several stamps including serif “A” stamp. The bolt face and body are free of pitting or oxidation. The Cocking Piece is the correct 3rd Type that was reintroduced on Model 1899 Carbine production around serial number 285,001, when it replaced the 4th Type “Headless” cocking piece, which was introduced on the Model 1899 Carbine at serial number 202,000. The Cocking Piece retains the majority of its original dark oil quenched finish with wear on the barrel from the spring. The Bolt Sleeve is the correct 4th Type with two-position detent that retains considerable original finish. The correct Type 4 Extractor is in very fine condition and retains 98% of the original bright heat tempered blue finish throughout. The correctly unmarked Safety retains generous portions of the case-hardened finish with the balance turning a plum patina. The original spring remains in the white. The entire bolt assembly functions perfectly.

The Rear Sight on this Carbine is a very good condition Model 1896 Rifle Rear Sight. Dimensionally the same size as the Model 1896 Carbine Rear Sight, the rifle sight is calibrated for different ballistics and does not have the “C” designation on the upper right side of the elevation leaf. This is not the correct rear sight for this carbine, but it looks exactly like the correct carbine rear sight with the exception of the markings.

Only about 36,051 Model 1899 Cavalry Carbines were manufactured by Springfield Armory and many of these were later modified to accept a knife bayonet and have attached a rifle sling. This Carbine functions perfectly.