With so many fascinating iterations and variants, the Krag Jorgensen is a fantastic arms collecting platform. The bolt action rifle has a deep connection to American history and was the U.S. Military's first widely issued repeating rifle design and the first chambered for a smokeless powder round.

A documented Spanish-American War U.S. Springfield Model 1895/96 Krag Jorgensen for sale, this saddle ring carbine is identified to the U.S. 9th Cavalry Colored Regiment who famously charged up San Juan Hill next to the Rough Riders.

The Krag Jorgensen rifles and carbines are perfect for firearms enthusiasts seeking to add a piece of history to their collection. From high condition and ultra rare Model 1892 rifles, to more common and affordable variations like the Model 1898 rifles and sporter conversions that make excellent shooters and hunting rifles, the Krag Jorgensen can be obtained in a plethera of styles. We'll take a look at some notable examples below.

History of the Krag Jorgensen Rifle and Carbine

Until the late 19th century, standard infantry weapons were manufactured primarily at Springfield Armory in Springfield, Massachusetts. Production evolved from single-shot muskets-rifles to single-shot Springfield Trapdoor breech-loading rifles, the latter of which remained the standard infantry rifles and carbines for the U.S. Army from 1873 to the mid-1890s. Despite the advent of repeating long guns such as the Spencer carbine and the Henry rifle, Springfield remained consistent and proficient in their production.

An extremely rare and exceptional U.S. Springfield .30 caliber experimental Trapdoor Rifle, letter "H", one of less than 20 manufactured by Springfield Armory between 1890-1892 for the purpose of experimenting with various smokeless powders, testing velocities, studying ballistics, and performing pressure tests in the development of a new .30 caliber (.30 Army) smokeless powder cartridge.

The Army began testing bolt action designs in the 1870s and 1880s, but it wasn't until the trials in 1892 that the Krag Jorgensen became the new standard issue longarm. It was designed by Norwegian military officers Ole Herman Johannes Krag and Erik Jørgensen, and subsequently adopted by Norway, Denmark, and the United States.

The Krag was so popular in Norway, that production continued into World War 2 with some manufactured for Germany during the Nazi occupation. The most distinct aspect of the Krag Jorgensen rifles and carbines is the built-in magazine design which hinges open from the right side of the action.

An early production First Type "Solid Band" U.S. Springfield Model 1892 Krag-Jorgensen rifle with two digit serial number and bayonet sold at RIAC in September 2018 for $46,000

When the United States adopted the Krag Jorgensen in 1892, it was under the nomenclature of the Model 1892, despite production not starting until 1894. With the new rifle came the new 30-40 Krag ammunition. Also known as .30 Army, .30 Government, and a host of others monikers, it was the first smokeless powder cartridge adopted by the U.S. Government.

Two Springfield Armory Krag long guns.

Per the National Park Service records, the Springfield Armory manufactured either 477,762 or 478,694 Krag rifles and carbines depending on whether the rare Model 1898 Krag Gallery Practice rifles were newly produced rifles or arsenal modified from existing rifles.

A fine antique Spanish-American War era U.S. Springfield Armory Model 1896 Krag carbine for sale this August.

They served as the standard U.S. military firearms in the Spanish-American War, the Philippine-American war, the Moro Rebellion, and remained in use into the 20th century even after the adoption of the famous Springfield Model 1903.

A Spanish-American War era U.S. Springfield Krag-Jorgensen Model 1896 saddle ring carbine.

A Krag Jorgensen for Sale from the Spanish-American War

The Krag Jorgensen offered by RIAC in August of 2024 was an extremely desirable Spanish-American War issued U.S. Springfield saddle ring carbine identified by serial number as issued to the 9th Cavalry Regiment, who famously charged the hill during the Battle of San Juan Hill in Cuba on July 1st, 1898, alongside future President Theodore Roosevelt's 1st Volunteer Cavalry "Rough Riders".

This Spanish-American War U.S. Springfield Model 1895/96 Krag-Jorgensen saddle ring carbine identified to the U.S. 9th Cavalry Colored Regiment played an important role in the evolutionary development of the .30 caliber smokeless powder cartridge in U.S. Military service.

This exceptional Krag carbine, previously out of the collection of author Frank Mallory, is accompanied by a SRS document that shows the example by serial number as "turned in" on June 14th, 1900, from the 9th Cavalry, and is photographed leaning against a tree in the article "Guns of the Rough Riders-Part II-Krag Carbines" in the July/August 1989 issue of Man at Arms magazine with the caption, "Ordnance records show that Model 1896 Carbine serial no. 28683, photographed with cavalry cartridge belt, was issued to the 9th Cavalry Regiment. The black troopers of the 9th went up San Juan Hill alongside the Rough Riders (photo by author)."

An exceptional 1902 dated U.S. Springfield Armory Model 1898 Krag rifle for sale.

Surviving examples of Krag-Jorgensen carbines with a documented serial number positively linking them (not just nearby or within the range) to one of the regiments that was physically present at the Battle of San Juan Hill very rarely turn up today and are considered the pinnacle of the genre, but the Krag-Jorgensen, its accessories, and militaria linked to this classic rifle has seen its value rising in recent years across the board with

The grouping below includes a metal canteen with tan canvas "U.S." marked cover, an "1889" dated bayonet with sheath, box of Remington-UMC Kleanbore ammo, box of 30 caliber blanks, a Union Metallic Cartridge marked ammo bandolier (marked for 60 rounds of 30-40, tops stitched closed), and a copy of the book The Krag Rifle by Brophy.

The Krag has become a valued collectible with historians and arms enthusists of all types, and items like the lot above are desirable among militaria collectors.

Production Numbers of the Krag Jorgensen

The Krag Jorgensen rifles and carbines can be broken down into several models and variations, but generally the rifles had 30-inch barrels while the carbines had 22-inch barrels. The various models include:

• Model 1892 First & Second Type Rifle (1894-1896)
• Model 1894 (Model 1892 converted to 1896 pattern. Aka "Model 1892/96")
• Model 1896 Rifles (1896-1898)
• Model 1896 Carbines (1896-1898)
  • famously used by Theodore Roosevelt's Rough Riders at the Battle of San Juan Hill
• Model 1896 Cadet Rifles (only about 400 produced)
• Model 1898 Rifles (1898-1903)
  • small group with 26-inch barrels
• Model 1898 Carbines (1898)
• Model 1899 Carbines (1899-1902)
  • Some "Philippine Constabulary Carbines" altered by Manila Arsenal to use knife bayonets
• Model 1898 Gallery Practice Rifles (1906-1907, chambered in .22 caliber)

A U.S. Springfield Model 1892/1896 modification Krag Jorgensen rifle.

The wide variety of models offers collectors of Krag Jorgensen rifles and carbines a healthy checklist to hunt after. Often accompanying Krag Jorgensen firearms in collections are the standard issue Colt Artillery Model Single Action Army revolvers, as well as the appropriate bayonets.

A U.S. Model 1900 Krag Bowie bayonet with scabbard, produced (and dated) for trial in 1900, as a replacement for the standard bayonet.

Documents as kept by the National Park Service list the following serial number ranges in the document creatively titled "Springfield Armory U.S. Krag-Jorgensen Rifle Serial Number Ranges."

Krag Jorgensen serial number ranges by year.

For the record, the fiscal year ran from July - June. Collectors should also know that Krag Jorgensen firearms below serial number 152,670 are considered antiques (pre-1898) under current U.S. firearms laws.

A U.S. Springfield Armory Model 1898 Krag rifle for sale.

Krag Jorgensen For Sale

If you are looking to buy or sell a Krag Jorgensen, Rock Island Auction is the place. We sell hundreds of Krag Jorgensen rifles and carbines in a variety of configurations, condition levels, and price points every year in our Premier, Sporting & Collector, and Online Firearms Auctions.

Top view of a Model 1899 Springfield Krag Carbine showing the large hinged loading gate for the magazine. Sold May 2014 for $6,325

With RIAC hosting auctions every month, you are guaranteed plenty of opportunities to find a Krag Jorgensen for sale, and if you are looking for a scarce model like the ever hard to find Model 1892 First Type rifles, the first of the Springfield Krag rifles, definitely keep an eye on our Premier Firearms Auctions.

American soldier with his Springfield Krag Rifle in the Philippines courtesy of the Library of Congress.