Originally Posted by
Dick Hosmer
Hope you enjoyed your coffee - but, see - that wasn't so hard, was it? Nice looking carbine!
One thing that has not yet been mentioned is that "1896" (as opposed to "Model 1896") is the scarcest of all the Krag receiver dates. Only 5000 arms were so marked - some are rifles, some are carbines. I own carbine 32383, in very similar condition to yours, and rifle 37045, which is, at present (and for the last 40 years or so) the highest known "1896". The word "Model" is thought to have been added around 37100. If any one can refine that, please post a picture (not a Photoshopped one of course!!!!!!). As an old fart, my brain was shaped at the time when "photographic evidence" was a valid and useful tool. Now, when every pixel can be dicked-with, a lot more care is required.