Springfield Model 1899 Krag Cavalry Carbine c. 1901

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

Model 1899 Krag Carbine production began in 1899, at serial number 226,701. This carbine, serial number 354673 and was manufactured in the fall of 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 Type 4B, version. This stock has the three holes in the butt stock for the cleaning rods. It also has the squared bolt recess inletting. As a Type 4B stock, it has the rear swivel plate inletting for the stock sling swivel, which was later removed and filled in with another piece of walnut, probably a arsenal refit.

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 cartouche is very faded but can still be read. The bottom of the stock wrist also has the firing proof stamp of a script “P” inside a circle. There are no other refurbishment or arsenal marks on the stock. The stock has

normal dings and scratches, but no cracks are noted. The stock remains beautiful and it also remains structurally solid. The stock retains its original oil finish.

The original Type 2 Buttplate is present. Both single-slot buttplate screws are present and both retain the majority of their original blued finish. The buttplate tang exhibits considerable old pitting and now has a dark patina. The back side retains considerable original blue finish that is turning plum in most places and there is evidence of old pinprick pitting throughout. Inside the butt trap compartment are the original three cleaning rod holes and the milled-out section for the oiler.

The Handguard on this carbine is in fine condition and is the Model 1902 Carbine for use with the Model 1902 Rear Sight. The handguard also has a few minor dings and scratches, but no cracks are noted. The original oil finish is present on the handguard and the finish perfectly matches the finish on the stock.

The Band is in good condition and has the correct serif “U” stamp on the right side. There is evidence of old pinprick pitting on the band and it appears to have been re-blued. The barrel band spring is present and retains 95% 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 with numerous dings. The bore still has a shiny finish with strong rifling still present with moderate pitting in the lands and grooves. The original Krag Front Sight Stud is present, and it now has a rifle Front Sight Blade, as carbine blades should have a serif “C” for carbine stamp on the right side.

The Receiver is in very good condition and retains traces of its original dark oil finish as does the side plate that is beginning to fade, all of which now exhibit a salt and pepper patina. The interior portions of the receiver retain traces 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. 354673.”

The Trigger Guard is in very good condition and retains traces of its original blue finish that now exhibits a plum patina. Both single-slot Trigger Guard Screws are present, and both are unmarred retaining virtually all of the original blued finish. The Trigger retains considerable original oil finish.

The Magazine Assembly functions perfectly on this Carbine. The Magazine Gate exhibits a largely smooth pewter patina. The Carrier retains the majority of the original dark, heat tempered color, and the follower remains in the white. The Hinge Bar Head and Pin retain traces 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 light plum patina in places. The bottom of the bolt handle root has a serif “F” stamp, and the rear of the bolt handle root has a serif heat lot “S9” stamp.

The Cocking Piece is the correct 4th Type that was introduced on Model 1899 Carbine production around serial number 202,000. The Cocking Piece retains generous traces of its original dark oil quenched finish with wear on the barrel from the spring. The knurling on the headless end remains crisp. 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 good condition and now exhibits a largely pewter patina. The correctly unmarked Safety also exhibits a smooth pewter patina. The original spring remains in the white. The entire bolt assembly functions perfectly.

The Rear Sight on this Carbine is Model 1902 Rifle Rear Sight. The only difference between the Model 1902 Rifle and Carbine Rear Sights is the base. The Carbine base has a slightly different profile to compensate for different ballistics, and it has a serif “C” stamp on the right side of the base to delineate it from a rifle base. All other parts on a Model 1902 Rear Sight are the same for rifle or carbine. This has the later, second type rear sight adjustable “Peep Plate” present. The rear sight assembly is in fine condition.

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.

This Carbine quite possibly served duty in the Philippines where these carbines were used heavily fighting Philippine rebels and the Moros in the southern islands. This Carbine still functions perfectly.