1898 build

Sporterized and unofficial modified Krags
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putnro01
Posts: 5
Joined: Thu Apr 15, 2021 3:41 pm

1898 build

Post by putnro01 »

I've recently picked up what I'm calling an 1898 build, that is, finishing a project someone else started.

It's an 1898 receiver, Numrich barrel, Boyd's rifle stock and pieced together everything else. All metal is in the white (plan is to rust blue). It's short the rear sight and hand guard. I've bugged a few members/suppliers about a replacement sight and hand guard.

I understand this rifle will have no collector value and I'm simply intending this as a shooter and ideally for VMR or cast bullet military shoots.

I'm trying to determine whether I should seek an 1898 or 1902 rear sight, the 1902 is appealing for the peep option. Does anyone have thoughts or recommendations for their pick of a shooter Krag rear sight?

Thanks in advance,
Joe

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butlersrangers
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Joined: Wed Oct 07, 2009 11:35 pm
Location: Below the Bridge, Michigan

Re: 1898 build

Post by butlersrangers »

Joe: Welcome to the KCA Forum!

You probably want the model 1901 sight. It has a far better "peep" arrangement for match shooting.

(IMHO)- I like the ruggedness of the 'Dickson' model 1902 sight and it is very quick for 50 & 100 yard shooting.
But, the "Sgt. Peep" on the model 1902 sight is easily knocked out of the "detent location" and the aperture size is pretty useless for old eyes. (I never use Sgt. Peep).

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Cat Man
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Joined: Tue Jan 20, 2015 10:28 pm

Re: 1898 build

Post by Cat Man »

I agree with Butlersrangers. I have shot both model sights in CMP Vintage matches many times.

You will want the 1901 Sight for target work for all the reasons he stated.

CAT Man
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putnro01
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Joined: Thu Apr 15, 2021 3:41 pm

Re: 1898 build

Post by putnro01 »

Oh my, the things you learn when you ask a question. I can see why that's "the sight", more or less what I have on my 1903.

Anyone have one (with handguard)?

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butlersrangers
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Joined: Wed Oct 07, 2009 11:35 pm
Location: Below the Bridge, Michigan

Re: 1898 build

Post by butlersrangers »

The model 1901 sight came into being, when General A.R. Buffington became Acting Chief of Ordnance in 1899.

It was a rendition of the model 1884 'Buffington sight', that was used on late model 1873 'Trap-Door' Springfield rifles and carbines.

The model 1903 Springfield rifle, in its initial "Rod-Bayonet" configuration, had a rear-sight similar to the model 1902 Krag sight.

Around 1905, major revisions were done to the 1903 Springfield, one of which was a new rear-sight, inspired by the 'Buffington' sights.

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