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MODEL 1903 CARBINE SCABBARD FOR THE SPRINGFIELD
KRAG CARBINE – VERY RARE TRANSITIONAL SCABBARD COMPLETE
WITH ORIGINAL STRAPS – EXCELLENT CONDITION: The
Model 1903 Carbine Scabbard, as issued to carry the
Springfield Krag Carbine on the early First Pattern
Model 1904 McClellan Saddles, was introduced and then
superceded by the Model 1904 Rifle Scabbard within a
very short period – very likely no more than a year –
and it came and went without being well documented in
period US Army literature and is now virtually unknown
to most modern collectors.
While closely resembling the Model 1904 Rifle Scabbard,
the Model 1903 Carbine Scabbard is a distinct pattern
unto itself, measuring 31” long – the same length as the
Model 1902 Carbine Scabbard - versus the rifle
scabbard’s length of 33”. (See the photograph below
showing the two scabbards in comparison.) The Model
1903 Carbine Scabbard also deleted the steel drain hole
featured in the Model 1896 and Model 1902 Carbine
Scabbards in favor of a simple 5/16” hole in the toe of
the scabbard with no evidence the drain hole was ever
fitted with the brass reinforcing grommet that would
appear in later productions of the Model 1904 Rifle
Scabbard.
This rare specimen of the Model 1903 Carbine Scabbard is
in excellent condition, and is complete with both
original scabbard straps and the newly adopted steel
snap hooks which allowed the scabbard to be attached to
or removed from the saddle much quicker than having to
buckle and unbuckle the straps. The straps are complete
with the buckles, standing loops and sliding leather
keepers. Measuring 31” long, the scabbard is full form,
the scabbard body seam is intact and strong, and the
scabbard holds its shape and is full form.
The leather surface is
particularly nice, having an even medium caramel russet
color and retaining an even shiny surface with no
crazing or other signs of severe wear or aging. The
scabbard is faintly, but legibly stamped “ROCK ISLAND
ARSENAL” and there are some unit identification stamps
applied to the upper edge of the throat.
This is an especially nice example of the very rare
Model 1903 Carbine Scabbard, and one that would never
need to be upgraded, if that was possible. This would
be a very special key addition to display with a Krag
Carbine or to add to an early First Pattern Model 1904
McClellan Saddle.
SOLD
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