Springfield Model 1892–99
The Springfield Model 1892–99 Krag–Jørgensen rifle is a Norwegian-designed bolt-action rifle that was adopted in 1892 as the standard United States Army military longarm, chambered for U.S. caliber .30-40 Krag cartridges. All versions and variants were manufactured under license by the Springfield Armory between 1892 and 1903 and famously served as the longarm during the Spanish–American War.
| Springfield Model 1892–99 | |
|---|---|
Receiver, loading door, and bolt assembly of a US M1898 Krag–Jørgensen Rifle with .30-40 round (at bottom), as compared to its predecessor, a Springfield Model 1888 rifle with .45-70 round (at top) | |
| Type | Bolt-action repeating rifle |
| Place of origin | United States |
| Service history | |
| In service | 1892–1907 (Regular Army) |
| Wars | |
| Production history | |
| Designer | O H J Krag and E Jørgensen |
| Designed | 1886 |
| No. built | Approx. 500,000 |
| Variants | M1892 Rifle M1892 Carbine M1896 Rifle M1896 Cadet Rifle M1896 Carbine M1898 Rifle M1898 Carbine M1899 Carbine M1899 Constable Carbine |
| Specifications | |
| Mass | 8 pounds 7 ounces (M1896 Rifle) |
| Length | 48.875 in (1,241 mm) (M1896 Rifle) |
| Barrel length | 30 in (762 mm) (M1896 Rifle) |
| Cartridge | .30-40 Krag |
| Action | Bolt action |
| Rate of fire | 20–30 rounds/min |
| Muzzle velocity | 2,000 ft/s (610 m/s) (rifle) (220 grain bullet 1894–1898) |
| Effective firing range | 900 m (980 yd) |
| Feed system | 5-round rotary magazine |
| Sights | V-notch and front post |
Although "Krags" were popular, unique and efficient, the side loading gate mechanism was slow and cumbersome to reload in combat compared to the clip loaded Spanish Mausers the Krag was up against. Thus, the U.S. Krag was replaced beginning in 1903 with the introduction of the M1903 Springfield rifle, which was essentially a copy of a Mauser, although some design elements of the Krag remained, such as the cocking piece.
American Krags are the most plentiful and affordable of all three Krag variants, although many are sporterized, and they remain popular with collectors today.