Benicia Arsenal/DCM Krag Carbines ...

[Nick Adams]

If you get a chance to examine an original arsenal '03 front sight, you'll see that it's really not like the one on your Krag in terms of workmanship. The arsenals normally matched the barrel finish and didn't leave deep scratches all over the band and movable base.

Maybe, ... but the scratches on the band portion of this Krag's sight are similar to the ones on my 1903, caused by wear over time from the pushing-on/pulling-off of an '03 sight protector. That, and ageing, might account for the wearing-off of the finish it once had.

[Nick Adams]

*BUMPED* for the pics ...

[truck1]

I know this thread is 14 years old , but I own the exact same carbine with the number 80 stamped above the P proof mark at the trigger guard. The thread starter is marked 78. So these might be 2 in series apart. All identifying aspects of these rifles are identical. Mine was owned by a WW1 veteran pilot/observer , Capt. who died in a crash at Hickam field in 1924. This is verified by his grandson, my friend. I inherited this Krag 22 years ago. So the provenance is solid. The Capt. must have had possession prior to 1924. So go figure. Bannerman, NRA, BA. Who knows. But it is a well done conversion for sure, and excellent shooter.

[butlersrangers]

Benicia Arsenal is believed to have altered over 11,000 Krag rifles into carbine length rifles for NRA members, during the 1920s.

Many more Krag rifles were 'cut-down' to carbine length by civilian owners and dealers.

Official correspondence is rare and is seldom still connected to actual arsenal 'altered' DCM guns.