Krag-Jorgensen Model 1896
Springfield Armory (US Government) · Rifle · Discontinued · 1896
Also known as: U.S. Magazine Rifle Model 1896, Springfield Model 1896 Krag, M1896 Krag
Overview
The Krag-Jorgensen Model 1896 is a bolt-action service rifle chambered in .30-40 Krag, an improved version of the U.S. Model 1892 produced at Springfield Armory. It refined the earlier design by relocating the magazine cut-off to operate in the down position, moving the cleaning rod into a butt trap, fitting an improved rear sight, and tightening production tolerances for better accuracy. Famous for its exceptionally smooth side-loading bolt action, it saw service during the Spanish-American War and the Philippine-American War before being superseded by the Model 1898.
Specifications
| Weight (empty) | 4254 g (150.1 oz) |
| Overall Length | 1247 mm (49.09") |
| Barrel Length | 762 mm (30.00") |
| Action Type | Bolt Action |
| Firing Mechanism | Striker Fired |
| Trigger Type | Single Action |
| Magazine Capacity | 5 rounds |
| Magazine Type | Internal Box |
| Muzzle Velocity | 610 m/s (2001 fps) |
| Muzzle Energy | 2650 J (1955 ft·lbf) |
| Effective Range | 550 m (601 yd) |
| Maximum Range | 2700 m (2953 yd) |
| Barrel Rifling | Right Hand |
| Rifling Twist | 254 mm (10.00") |
| Number of Grooves | 4 |
| Frame Material | Steel |
| Barrel Material | Steel |
| Stock Material | Walnut |
| 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: Fixed Side Magazine Loaded Loose
- Safety mechanisms: Manual Safety, Magazine Cutoff
- Features: Side Mounted Magazine, Magazine Cutoff Down Position, Smooth Bolt Action, Butt Trap Cleaning Rod, Improved Rear Sight
Variants
- Krag-Jorgensen Carbine Model 1899 — Carbine
- Krag-Jorgensen Model 1898 — Successor Model
Base model
Service history
Operators
- United States Army · adopted 1896 · as U.S. Magazine Rifle, Model 1896
- United States Marine Corps
Conflicts
- Spanish-American War (1898)
- Philippine-American War (1899-1902)
- Boxer Rebellion (1899-1901)
Production
Production years: 1896-1898
Part of approximately 500,000 Krag rifles and carbines produced at Springfield Armory between 1894 and 1904; the Model 1896 rifle was produced in the interval before the Model 1898 superseded it.
Origin
Country of origin: United States
Designer: Ole Herman Johannes Krag, Erik Jorgensen
Discontinued: 1898
Notes
Distinguished from the Model 1892 chiefly by its down-position magazine cut-off, butt-trap cleaning rod, and improved sights. Many Model 1896 rifles were later arsenal-converted to carbines.
Background
The Krag-Jorgensen was America's first bolt-action service rifle and its first to fire a small-caliber, smokeless-powder cartridge, replacing the obsolete .45-70 Trapdoor Springfield. Its silky-smooth action was prized by shooters, but its slow single-round magazine loading proved a liability against the faster charger-loaded Spanish Mausers at San Juan Hill, hastening its replacement by the M1903 Springfield.