Krag-Jorgensen Carbine Model 1899
Springfield Armory (US Government) · Carbine · Out Of Production · 1899
Also known as: M1899 Krag Carbine, U.S. Magazine Carbine Model 1899, Krag Carbine 1899, Springfield Model 1899 Carbine
Overview
The Krag-Jorgensen Carbine Model 1899 is a bolt-action carbine adopted by the United States Army as a shortened version of the M1898 Krag rifle, chambered in the rimmed .30-40 Krag cartridge. Built at Springfield Armory for cavalry and mounted troops, it retained the Krag's distinctive side-loading horizontal box magazine that could be topped off with the bolt closed, but used a shorter barrel and revised stock with no upper barrel band. The Model 1899 corrected handling issues of the earlier M1896 and M1898 carbines and saw service during the Philippine-American War before the Krag family was retired in favor of the M1903 Springfield.
Specifications
| Weight (empty) | 3580 g (126.3 oz) |
| Overall Length | 1046 mm (41.18") |
| Barrel Length | 560 mm (22.05") |
| Action Type | Bolt Action |
| Firing Mechanism | Hammer Fired |
| Trigger Type | Single Stage |
| Magazine Capacity | 5 rounds |
| Magazine Type | Internal |
| Muzzle Velocity | 580 m/s (1903 fps) |
| Muzzle Energy | 2400 J (1770 ft·lbf) |
| Effective Range | 550 m (601 yd) |
| Maximum Range | 1600 m (1750 yd) |
| Barrel Rifling | Right Hand |
| Rifling Twist | 254 mm (10.00") |
| Number of Grooves | 4 |
| Frame Material | Steel |
| Barrel Material | Steel |
| Stock Material | Wood |
| Finish | Blued |
Calibers
- .30-40 Krag · primary — also known as .30 U.S., .30 Army, .30 Government, 7.62x59mmR
Features
- Firing modes: Repeating
- Feed systems: Side Loading Internal Magazine
- Safety mechanisms: Manual Safety, Magazine Cutoff
- Features: Side Loading Magazine, Smooth Bolt Throw, Magazine Cutoff Lever, Carbine Length Barrel, Saddle Ring Bar, No Stacking Swivel
Base model
Service history
Operators
- United States Army · adopted 1899 · as U.S. Magazine Carbine, Model 1899
- United States Cavalry · adopted 1899
Conflicts
- Philippine-American War (1899-1902)
- Moro Rebellion (1899-1913)
Production
Estimated total produced: 36,000 · Production years: 1899-1904
Roughly 36,000 Model 1899 carbines were produced at Springfield Armory; total U.S. Krag carbine production across the M1896, M1898 and M1899 patterns is estimated near 60,000.
Origin
Country of origin: United States
Designer: Ole Herman Johannes Krag and Erik Jorgensen
Discontinued: 1904
Notes
The Model 1899 carbine differs from the earlier 1896 and 1898 carbines chiefly in its longer forend and revised handguard. It lacks the rifle's stacking swivel and uses a saddle-ring bar on the left side of the receiver for cavalry carry.
Background
The Krag's famously smooth bolt made it a favourite among cavalrymen, but the carbine's light weight and short barrel amplified the muzzle blast of the .30-40 cartridge. Many surviving Model 1899 carbines were later sold off as surplus and prized by hunters and collectors for their handy size and slick action.