The Krag-Jørgensen rifle, adopted by the United States Army in 1892, was designed by Ole Herman Johannes Krag and Erik Jørgensen. While the initial adoption was in 1892 (and saw some slight variations), the Model 1898 refers to a series of *improvements* and modifications made to the original design. These changes were implemented throughout the production run from 1898 onwards.
Here's a breakdown of the relevant history:
* Adoption (1892): The US Army adopted the Krag-Jørgensen rifle, initially in .30-40 Krag caliber. This marked the US Army's switch to a smokeless powder cartridge. The initial models had some teething problems, including magazine issues and relatively low reliability.
* Improvements and Model 1898 (1898-1903): The "Model 1898" isn't a separate model designation but rather indicates rifles produced from 1898 onward which incorporated several key improvements. These included:
* Improved magazine: Addressing the earlier problems with magazine feeding reliability.
* Improved sights: Often featuring a more robust and adjustable rear sight.
* Small manufacturing changes: Minor changes in the manufacturing process to improve consistency and production efficiency.
* Replacement (1903): Despite the improvements, the Krag was considered somewhat outdated by the turn of the century. The US Army adopted the Springfield Model 1903, a magazine-fed bolt-action rifle in .30-06 Springfield, which ultimately replaced the Krag.
* Legacy: The Krag-Jørgensen served the US Army in the Spanish-American War and the Philippine-American War. While not without its flaws, it represented a significant step forward in US military small arms technology. However, its relatively short service life and the quick advancements in rifle technology overshadowed its historical significance to some degree. Many Krags were sold as surplus after being replaced and even saw use in other conflicts around the world.
In short, there's no separate "30-40 Krag Model 1898" rifle. The designation refers to the improved versions of the Krag-Jørgensen rifle produced from 1898 onward, chambered for the .30-40 Krag cartridge. The key difference lies in the refinements made to the earlier designs, primarily focusing on addressing the magazine feeding and sight issues.