This is a fine example of a 1896 Model Kraig rifle that was used the invasion of Puerto Rico. It is identified by its serial number as one that was issued to the 3rd Wisconsin Infantry.

Originally organized as a National Guard unit on April 30, 1833, the unit volunteered for service in the Spanish American War almost exactly 65 years later, on April 28, 1898. The various companies met at their hometown stations in Winnebago County before heading for Camp Harvey in Milwaukee. Here they were mustered into service on May 11, 1898 for a period of two years unless discharged sooner. The unit was assigned to the First Brigade, First Division of the First Army Corps, and was stationed at Camp Thomas, Georgia, located on the old Civil War battlefield of Chickamauga.

The unit was transferred to take part in the invasion of Puerto Rico. The Brigade, also known as "Ernst's Brigade, consisted of the 16th Pennsylvania Volunteers, 2nd and 3rd Wisconsin, and portions of the 6th Illinois. The brigade departed Charleston, South Carolina, on 20th of July, for Cape Fajardo, Puerto Rico. After a change in plan by General Miles, the unit actually headed for Guanica, on the opposite side of Puerto Rico, arriving on July 27, 1898. Without disembarking, the unit was sent to Ponce, where the unit disembarked.

In Puerto Rico, the 3rd Wisconsin took part in the action at Coamo. The assigned line of march was along the road leading from Ponce to San Juan, the capital. This route led past the small town of Coamo. Here, it was found that the Spanish had entrenched. On August 9, the 3rd Wisconsin, 788 men strong, was sent to the right with orders to cross the Coamo River and advance. Some enemy fire was directed on the unit by the Spanish from a blockhouse, but the fire was quickly silenced by infantry and artillery fire. This left the 3rd unopposed. When the American forces entered the town, they found it deserted and that its population had already surrendered to reporter Richard Davis. On August 12, the 3rd Wisconsin moved into position to aid in the assault at the next point of opposition on its march - Aibonito. As the forces were forming for this assault the following morning, word arrived of that an armistice had been declared and the fighting had ended. The 3rd Wisconsin returned home on September 18th, 1898. The Spanish American War ended on December 10, 1898 with the Treaty of Paris.

STATISTICS: Total Strength of regiment -------1353; Killed in Action------------------2; Died of disease-------------------4; Wounded in Action---------------2 .

ENGAGEMENTS: Coamo, Puerto Rico on Aug. 9, 1898, Arbonith Pass, Puerto Rico, Aug. 12, 1898.

The rifle is a 1896 Model Kraig manufactured by the Springfield Armory. It is a Cal .30-40 caliber. The receiver is marked U.S.MODEL 1896 and SPRINGFIELD ARMORY serial number 54641. Springfield armory manufactured approximately 62,000 Kraig rifles from 1896 to 1898. The serial numbers ranged from 35000 to 110000. This stock has the inspector initials JLA and is dated 1896. It has a 30-inch barrel that is plum brown in color. This gun has approximately 50% of the original finish. This Krag is clean and has all the correct markings and cartouches on the stock. The rifle is all-original and has not been modified in any way. The bayonet is a Model 1892 -1898. It has vertical markings US and 1898 on the reverse. The grip rivets are of the end-rounded type. The blade has a dusky gray finish and shows no signs of being cleaned.

This is a very good example of the type of weapon used in the Spanish American War to add to any collection.

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