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. With RIAC hosting auctions every month, you are guaranteed plenty of opportunities to pick up a Krag Jorgensen, 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. What makes these bolt actions so desirable? Let's take a look.

Exceptional U.S. Springfield Armory M1898 Krag Bolt Action Rifle. Sold May 2017 for $4,313

History of the Krag Jorgensen

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.

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

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. It 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.

Another top view of a high condition Krag Jorgensen Model 1899 carbine showing the action and rear sight.

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. 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.

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.

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

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)

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.

Extremely Rare U.S. Model 1902 Krag Bolo Bayonet Dated 1903. Sold September 2018 for $34,500

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.

Buying a Krag Jorgensen

Exceedingly Rare and Excellent Early Production First Type "Solid Band" U.S. Springfield Model 1892 Krag-Jorgensen Bolt Action Rifle with Two Digit Serial Number and Bayonet. Sold September 2018 for $46,000

RIAC sells Krag Jorgensen rifles and carbines perfect for firearms enthusiasts seeking to add a piece of history to their collection. Every year we sell Krags ranging 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.

Bid in one of our upcoming RIAC gun auctions to add a new Krag Jorgensen carbine or rifle to your collection or contact us today at [email protected] for information about consigning one of these classic firearms.

American soldiers in the trenches with their Krag Jorgensen Rifles (image courtesy of Interim Archives/Getty Images)