Springfield fitted somewhere around 200 1898 rifles and 1899 carbines with the device, though it was never accepted into regular use and is extremely rare to find today. To compensate for speed in loading, Springfield Armory created the Parkhurst Device attachment, which enabled the Krag to be loaded via 5-round charging strips. Ironically, while the loading gate design was a major selling point during Army rifle trials, the Krag was quickly outclassed by the enemy’s Spanish M93 Mauser during the Spanish-American War. (Photo credit: Rock Island Auction Company) When all was said and done, variants of the Krag rifle, which were many, saw service in the Boxer Rebellion, Spanish-American War and Philippine-American War. The testers decided that Krags could be charged faster than most comparable box-type magazines of the time. In the end, the side-loading magazine and butter-smooth action were the rifle’s beloved features. To appease the doubters, a second military review was mandated and the Krag Jorgensen rifle once again emerged victorious, albeit now with a year of delayed production. American developers were so dismayed, a formal complaint was filed against the act of adopting a foreign arm for U.S. military seeking a new long gun to replace the old Springfield M1873 trapdoor single shots, they held a competition in 1892, which drew over 50 submissions including the three (all foreign) finalists - Lee, Mauser, and of course, Krag, who won the contract. However, its unusual magazine could be topped off without opening the bolt - a plus for the ever-ready soldier in the field. Not unlike its competition, the Krag had a magazine cut-off, allowing it to function as a single-shot rifle. Though the majority of that era’s rifles were loaded by chargers or stripper clips, the Krag could be charged quickly by feeding single rounds through the right-hand side loading gate, from whence ammo would cycle around and into the action by a spring follower.

Krag-Jorgensens are easily recognizable by their side-loading, horizontal box magazine.

Springfield 1898 buyers guide