Krag Rifle Model 1898 Mirror Bore .30-40 Caliber

Manufactured: 1898+ – Caliber: .30-40 Krag – Feature: Mirror Bore

An iconic firearm of the U.S. Army’s transition to smokeless powder, the Krag-Jørgensen is renowned for its exceptional build quality and remarkably smooth action. Today, it remains highly sought after by collectors and enthusiasts of historic military firearms and vintage shooting disciplines.

History

In 1885, French chemist Paul Vieille revolutionized firearms technology with the development of smokeless powder, a propellant far superior to traditional black powder. This innovation rapidly accelerated the modernization of military small arms worldwide. In Europe, France adopted the Lebel rifle, while Germany developed the Mauser, both chambered for smaller and more efficient cartridges.

In the United States, the U.S. Army Ordnance Department evaluated 35 different rifle designs before selecting the Norwegian Krag-Jørgensen. In 1894, the Springfield Armory began production for the U.S. Army, marking a historic first: the rifle being manufactured was not a Springfield design. At the time, the U.S. Army consisted of approximately 15,000 infantrymen and 6,000 cavalrymen, highlighting the importance placed on modernizing American military armament.

Our Example

This regulation U.S. Cavalry carbine in .30-40 Krag caliber retains exceptionally well-preserved metal surfaces, with substantial portions of its original blued finish remaining. The markings are correct and perfectly legible, including the standard “U.S.” marking, serial number 334XXX, and the appropriate model designations.

The wood stock remains in excellent overall condition, displaying an attractive patina. It underwent an old professional cleaning that restored a uniform color while removing the original military cartouches. Nevertheless, it retains all the character expected from a historic military firearm. The buttplate is correct to the model and properly fitted.

Mechanically, the carbine is excellent, featuring smooth cocking, reliable ignition, and precise operation. The barrel, chambered in .30-40 Krag (.30 U.S. Army), features a mirror-bright bore approaching near-new condition, with strong and well-defined rifling throughout.

A quality firearm representative of late 19th-century American military armament, this Krag carbine recalls the campaigns of the Spanish-American War, the Mexican Border operations, and the China Relief Expedition during the Boxer Rebellion.

The firearm is accompanied by its official Category D(e) classification certificate, issued by the Saint-Étienne National Proof House (Banc National d'Épreuve de Saint-Étienne).