Krag-Jorgensen M1898
Springfield Armory (US Government) · Rifle · Out Of Production · 1898
Also known as: M1898 Krag, U.S. Magazine Rifle Model 1898, Krag rifle, Springfield M1898
Overview
The U.S. Magazine Rifle, Model 1898, commonly called the M1898 Krag-Jorgensen, was the standard service rifle of the United States Army from 1898 until replaced by the M1903 Springfield. It was a Norwegian-designed bolt-action rifle chambered in the rimmed .30-40 Krag (.30 Army) cartridge, with a unique side-loading horizontal box magazine that could be topped off with the bolt closed. Famously praised for its smooth bolt action, it served U.S. forces during the Spanish-American War and the Philippine-American War.
Specifications
| Weight (empty) | 4080 g (143.9 oz) |
| Overall Length | 1247 mm (49.09") |
| Barrel Length | 762 mm (30.00") |
| Action Type | Bolt Action |
| Firing Mechanism | Hammer Fired |
| Trigger Type | Single Stage |
| Magazine Capacity | 5 rounds |
| Magazine Type | Internal |
| Muzzle Velocity | 610 m/s (2001 fps) |
| Muzzle Energy | 2650 J (1955 ft·lbf) |
| Effective Range | 900 m (984 yd) |
| Maximum Range | 1800 m (1968 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, .30 Flanged Nitro Express
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, Windage Adjustable Rear Sight, Stripper Clip Unfriendly
Variants
- M1899 Krag Carbine — Carbine
- Krag-Jorgensen M1896 — Predecessor
Service history
Operators
- United States Army · adopted 1898 · as U.S. Magazine Rifle, Model 1898
- United States Marine Corps · adopted 1898
- Philippine Constabulary · adopted 1901
Conflicts
- Spanish-American War (1898)
- Philippine-American War (1899-1902)
- Boxer Rebellion (1899-1901)
- Moro Rebellion (1899-1913)
Production
Estimated total produced: 330,000 · Production years: 1898-1904
Approximately 330,000 M1898 rifles were produced at Springfield Armory, the largest run of any Krag variant. Total Krag production across all models including carbines exceeded 480,000.
Origin
Country of origin: United States
Designer: Ole Herman Johannes Krag and Erik Jorgensen
Discontinued: 1904
Notes
The Krag's relatively slow loading (no stripper clips) and limited cartridge pressure capacity led the U.S. Army to adopt the Mauser-derived M1903 Springfield after experiencing Spanish Mauser fire in Cuba.
Background
The Krag's defining feature was its silky-smooth bolt action, which generations of shooters considered the finest ever fitted to a service rifle. Yet it was also its undoing: the single locking lug couldn't safely handle the higher pressures of newer smokeless cartridges, and U.S. troops who faced Spanish 7mm Mausers in Cuba came home demanding a stronger rifle.