Krag Collectors Association Forum

So, an aesthetics question.

The bolt appears incorrect…looks like an 1896 handle to me. It fits the appearance of the rifle well. Also, the headless cocking pieces look cool but I know they were originally used on a lower serial number range of the rifles and carbines. What says the group:

A) keep the present bolt, it’s part of the rifle now and looks good;

B) replace with correct bolt with headless cocking piece;

C) replace with correct bolt with normal cocking piece?

You are correct, that is a model 1896 Bolt. (It is likely that the current model 1896 bolt is not closing completely in your model 1899 receiver).

I would recommend you buy a 'New Old Stock' model 1898 bolt, with the correct longer 'flat', on the bottom side of the bolt-handle.
It will look OK with your metal.

FredC may have one for sale.

I would forget about a 'headless' cocking-piece. It will keep you awake at night!

I still have one.

FredC wrote: ↑Sat Jun 12, 2021 4:13 pmI still have one.

Sorry to say I didn't see this until I'd already placed an order at Granpa's.

How about Q-tips instead of the patch? Seems easier to me.

Q-tips and (folded) pipe-cleaners are great tools.

I just found my 'solvent-patch' method got the threads and hole bottom ultra fresh.

One issue addressed...! ETA no problems with the threads, thank goodness.

Lead Snowstorm - That looks much better!