Info on old Sp' Armory Rifle

[ENC]

My boss wants me to find out as much as I can on an old rifle for him.

It is a 1894 U. S. Springfield Armory
Caliber .30-40 (I assume Krag)
Ser # 3998

I haven't even seen the rifle but he says he knows little else about it. I understand the datais kind of limited but any information you can give on value or anything else would be apprecieated.

I assume it was made in 1894 it is stamped on the gun and that serial number jives with the database at oldguns.net for a date of manufacture.

Thanks in advance.

 

[ENC]

anybody know anything at all?

 

[Trebor]

No one has replied because we really need more info.

It sounds like a Krag, but did they make Krags as early as 1894? I thought they didn't come out until 1896.

Even if I'm wrong, and they did make Krags in 1894, we can't give you any idea of the value without knowing more. So much depends on cofiguration (original vs. sporterized, for example) and so much more depends on condition.

Ballpark? The rifle is worth between $100 and $1,000 dollars...

 

[MrMurphy]

If it's a Krag, the loading gate will be on the right side of the action. If, with the rifle shouldered the loading gate flips down, it's US made, if the loading gate flips forward or in any other direction than towards the ground to make a little platform, it's one of the earlier ones made in Norway? I think (have to go look it up) and worth even more, assuming it's not sporterized.

Of that age, in that caliber, from Springfield armory, yeah, it should be a Krag-Jorgensen.

 

[Jim Watson]

According to Blue Book, a US Krag dated 1894 is a Model 1892 manufactured in 1894. An 1892 altered to 1896 specs, as most were, is a nice old rifle, worth a few hundred dollars if not Bubbafied, as many were. They were sold surplus in the 1920s for $7.50.

An 1892 NOT altered to 1896 specs is a serious US Martial rarity, worth some thousands of dollars in top notch condition.

So you see why we need a DETAILED description from ENC and hope for a real expert to come along to vet it.

 

[ENC]

Thanks for the replies now I will know what to look for when I ask to see the rifle and can give you all a better idea. I realize my post was seriously lacking information but I will find out and re post.

Can anyone tell me what the changes were made to a year 1894 rifle to change it from 1892 configuration to the 1896 configuration.

 

[JNewell]

I can't do that by memory, but I believe that two of the changes involved filling in a channel in the forearm and a change in the buttplate. The best sources would be Brophy's book or Mallory's new edition. For a little background, you could pointyour boos to this link and this link. The second link has some brief info on the differences between the 92 and 96 variants.