The Rough Riders Rifle - Krag Carbine

Bio of T.R.
Photographs and text copyright (c) 2004, Theodore Roosevelt Association.
Photos may be used for school reportswith proper referencing; however,
other publication or use in any medium including online is prohibited without written consent of the
Theodore Roosevelt Association.
A link to the Theodore Roosevelt Association web site is required for all electronic usage.

Rough Rider Model 1896 Krag Carbine

The Rough Riders went to Cuba carrying the Model 1896 Krag Carbine. Col. Leonard Wood feared if the 1st U.S. Volunteer Cavalry were issued the old outdated 45/70 Trapdoor Carbines, the

View 1
Model 1896 Krag Carbine
Private Collection

Army wouldn’t send the regiment into the fight. Theodore Roosevelt’s efforts in securing the new smokeless carbine was one of the reasons the Rough Riders made it to Cuba. Invented by Colonel Ole Krag and Eric Jorgensen of Norway and on May 23, 1895 the Krag was first smokeless carbine approved by the U.S. Arny. Troops first receiving shipments on March 10, 1896 and by the end of May all ten regular cavalry regiments were armed with the Krag carbine.

View 2
Model 1896 Krag Carbine
Private Collection

Theodore Roosevelt didn’t shoulder a Krag, instead he went to war carrying a Winchester Model 95. He subsequently gave the rifle to trooper Bob Wren who needed a weapon if he was going to get to Cuba. To the envy of the rest of the Rough Riders who had to turn their carbines in after the war, Bob Wren was able kept Theodore Roosevelt’s Winchester.

The Krags were bolt action and fired a 30-40 caliber cartridge. A five round magazine was loaded from the side through a large hinged loading gate that give

View 3
Model 1896 Krag Carbine
Private Collection

Krags their distinctive look. A variety of models were manufactured over the years but it was the Model 1896 that was issued to the Rough Riders. By 1898 the Krags were outdated and their performance could not match the German 1893 Mauser rifle that was in the hands of the Spanish. Mausers generated higher muzzle velocity and that generated more accuracy. However, Krags were still in use in Norway during WWII. The serial number of this Krag Carbine is 73,428.