Handguard Types Question

[RickM]

Looking for some info and have a perfect Krag hand guard that I bought back early 2021 at a gun show in PA, which I realized it was the wrong one, so I have been stuck with it but it was my mistake cause I bought it in haste as it was the only one there. I'm posting some shots of the replacement one, which I think is for the1898 Carbine. I am unsure, hopefully someone here knows the correct and model year it will fit. I will most likely post it up in the Classified later this week, first want to go thru the site to read the do's and don'ts when posting something in Classified section.

My Krag is the 1898 Model Rifle with an early 1899 birth date serial number with an 1899 Buffington Site. I am still looking for the proper hand guard for it, as mine was cracked from the day I bought it years back. All On- Line sources are DOA for any of them. S&S which is located in Long Island, NY about 2 hrs from me I tried back in 2021 in person. (they have a ton of old rifle and Musket parts, family owned super nice people). I was told the guy who use to make them passed away a while back. So all the hand guards listed on B/O will remain on B/O as no one is re-making them.

[Whig]

This picture is from the Photos section of this website. It shows the different hand guards and which Krag rifle or carbine sights they work with. Hope it helps. It may take you some time to find what you need at a fair price. Lots of Krag strippers out there trying to make a killing off of stripping and selling parts from good Krags they buy and disassemble. But, good luck!

Also, one common cause of hand guards cracking is the tremendous stress put on the curved piece of wood by those barrel clips when the hand guard is off of the barrel. It helps, as we tell people all the time, to put a coin in each clip to open it up and take the stress off the wood when it is unmounted. Use a quarter, nickel or washer that fits tight to open each clip up some. It is a terrible experience to take a nice hand guard off a Krag barrel and have it crack right in your hand. Ask me how I know! This usually indicates that there was a small crack to begin with but it happens. Preventive care helps. I have fixed more than one cracked hand guard.

[butlersrangers]

RickM - 'Whig' has provided you with a very useful KCA guide to identify the different U.S. Krag handguards.

With U.S. Krags there are rifle models, (mainly 1892, 1896, and 1898). There are carbine models, (mainly 1896, 1898, and 1899). These are the model designations that identify the arms.

To make things more confusing, there are sight models, 1892, 1896, 1898, 1901, and 1902, that are found on the U.S. Krag rifles and carbines.
Krag handguards have to be specifically 'cutout' for the various sight bases.
(The different sights and handguards do not identify the model of the arm; they just create variants).

In regard to the handguards that you own:
Your U.S. model 1898 rifle (that you report was assembled in 1899) has the model 1901 rifle rear-sight. The handguard is the correct one for your sight, but it is damaged, and its rear section has been 'unofficially' shortened.
(Your Krag sight was inspired by Buffington's rear-sight for the 1873 Springfield. The 1901 Krag sight was adopted, when Buffington was in charge at Springfield Armory).
The rear portion of your 1901 handguard has been shortened. This exposes the receiver-ring, which should be covered by wood.

The handguard that you purchased at a gun-show is 'cutout' for the base of the model 1898 and model 1902 sights. This handguard was used on model 1898 rifles and model 1899 carbines equipped with model 1898 or model 1902 rear-sights.
I believe your 1898/1902 handguard is a reproduction, because of the rivets, wood finish, and the contours of the milled sight-opening.

Attached are photos of three Krag handguards that are cutout (starting from the bottom) for 1896, 1901 and 1898/1902 rear-sights.
These handguards are all actually the same length. The top two can be found on 1898 rifles or on some 1899 carbines.

[RickM]

Thank you so much for your information and education on this topic, yes it was confusing. So bottom line the handguards have to match the rear sites. What had totally slipped my attention is the handguard on my Krag was shortened. I already knew the replacement handguard I got was not original, I just wasn't aware of the different styles and hastily pulled the trigger on getting it. Live & learn. I will hold onto it for now I guess maybe sell that handguard down the road. So I figure my options here:

1. Search for the 1898 or model 1902 rear-sight for the replacement handguard, and then do the finish to match the rifle.

2. Keep my current cutdown cracked handguard with the Buffington Site. Keeping my eyes pealed for a replacement uncut down, original handguard...ha, I may have to sell a kidney to acquire one. IF I can even find one.

So I called on a close friend who does antique and custom detailed carpentry work for a living. I recently repaired both his M1Carbine and antique English Pepperbox Pistol as a favor. Time to call in some bartering chips here. He looked at my cracked handguard and said he can repair properly. The wood has split all the way thru only at the rear portion, the clips are in tight. So this is the route I will take. As for it being cut down I can live with that if the crack is repaired with the finish closely matching the stock. And will still keep alert for an uncut down version, sometimes Lady Luck knocks on your door.

Also to let you know I have been in the Observed Serial Number (208082) directory when I first joined 01/21. I love the the Krag it's different with its own character and shooting wise I have no issues as the action is smooth and spot on at 100 yards.

Again I thank you for your help.

[butlersrangers]

RickM - The 'short' handguard that came with your Krag looks a bit 'wonky' to me.

There is a possibility that it was a U.S. model 1892 handguard, and the sight-opening was altered (by some civilian 'owner') so that it could clear the base of the model 1901 rear-sight.

The model 1892 handguard had 'high' rivets and was short, leaving the receiver-ring exposed.
This created problems when the rifle was being used in sustained fire.
Hot metal was in position to burn the soldier's hand, if the warm rifle was carried at "Trail Arms".

Later handguards were longer with recessed rivets to solve this problem.

Your 'short' handguard is in too rough a shape for me to be certain of this 'hunch'. IMO - There is no harm in asking your 'woodworker' friend to improve its appearance.

You might inquire if anyone has a reproduction model 1901 handguard, they may want to trade for your 1902 repro handguard?
(It never hurts to have spare Krag metal and wood parts for swaps or future projects).

[RickM]

Thanks. The rest of the stock is in nice good shape. I sort of stumbled over getting it about 2 years back. The price was good cause it came with a M1903 Springfield bayonet and scabbard both in excellent shape ( I needed one for my '03 Springfield) funny how sometimes Lady Luck hits ya. A year later I scored an Krag 1898 Bayonet and Scabbard in excellent condition for ....yup "85!!! So ya never know. Anyway the Krag barrel wasn't shot out it was clean in very good shape. The action was smooth and metal had no rust just wear. I was missing a Krag in my collection and figure why not maybe a little TLC will help. It does shoot very well and accurate too. Only downfall and I noticed it prior to buying it, the safety lever was broke, stuck in a open position. I use that too to lower the price. I posted info here about the Safety Lever and recently found a correct year Safety Lever on line for $20 and since installed it. Works great. So my quest will continue to find a proper handguard.

There is a gun show coming up February 11th in Oaks, PA (just north of Philly) Its a huge show around 1500+ tables. Well worth the 3 hour drive. I will be looking for a handguard, and also for Krag Brass for re-loads.....as well as other stuff.