Sight Screws

[Krag-n-CA]

I hope this isn't a "stupid question" but are all of the sight screws on the Krag compatible with the different sights?

Specifically (for my purposes), are the 1896 sight screws compatible with the 1902 sights?

Thanks for your help...

[newkragguy]

the sight screws for the 1896 and the 1902 are different sizes but only slightly and according to Poyer they could and often are used interchangeably. specificly the 1896front screw was longer while the rear screw was the same size as both screws on the 1902

[Krag-n-CA]

Hmmm....

Okay.

So, they're not the same, but they can be used. That's good to know. What about other models like 1901 or 1898? I get a little leary about some of the screws I've seen for sale because they say something like "Krag and Trapdoor Sight Screws". It just makes me wonder...

Out of curiostity, does anyone know what thread size is used on the sight screws? Maybe I could find something that will work (in the meantime) while I'm looking for original replacements...

[madsenshooter]

The 1901 sight has a different front screw that the sight pivots around. Believe it or not the screws are metric, a holdover from French influence in the early days of our armories. It is an M4 screw, but the pitch is 1mm and the standard pitch for an M4 now a days is .7mm. I've found some old japanese made tip off mounts that have an M4x1.0 screw.

[Krag-n-CA]

It is an M4 screw, but the pitch is 1mm and the standard pitch for an M4 now a days is .7mm.

So, what you're saying is that nothing found in my local hardware store will work in the meantime, correct...? ;)

[Dick Hosmer]

That is correct - nothing commonly available will fit properly.

But, the screws are not truly "metric" (and certainly not "M4", which is a 21st century term!) but they ARE 26 tpi, which is apparently as close as we decided to go in copying the French 25.4 tpi (1 mm pitch). As Madsenshooter says, our earliest arms were based on (in fact were almost direct copies of) French muskets.

So, treat Krag sight screws kindly - they are in short supply. In an emergency, an 8-32 brass screw (with head blackened) would work - in SOME applications. The front screw on the 1901, for example, pretty well has to be genuine.

[Krag-n-CA]

In an emergency, an 8-32 brass screw (with head blackened) would work - in SOME applications. The front screw on the 1901, for example, pretty well has to be genuine.

I assume this is because the brass is softer and will not damage the original screw holes, correct?

I'm trying to put an 1896 sight on that "school gun". If the brass screws will work, that might be okay. These little buggers are pretty hard to find...

Out of curiosity, are some "trapdoor Springfield" screws compatible with Krag sights? The reason I ask is because I see auctions pop up from time to time that say "Krag and/or Trapdoor Springfield". I'm always a bit leery of those... :-/

[Dick Hosmer]

I've never tried to use a TD screw on a Krag, but I'm fairly sure the THREADS are identical. I looked at one of those ads - think it says something about emergency? If that is the one, I believe it was some sort of Bubba-fix, like my brass suggestion. :-)

What one really SHOULD do is go a legitimate parts dealer (there is a good list at trapdoorcollector.com) and buy the proper screws, even if they are $10 (or whatever) apiece.
It is not like they are totally unobtainable.

ABSOLUTELY NO promises as to when, could well be a year or more, but, since I am about done collecting, my 40-year stash of spares should probably be distributed around. Having said that, I do NOT think I have any Krag sight screws.

[Krag-n-CA]

I've never tried to use a TD screw on a Krag, but I'm fairly sure the threads are identical. I looked at one of those ads - think it says something about emergency? If that is the one, I believe it was some sort of Bubba-fix, like my brass suggestion. :-)

What one really should do is go a legitimate parts dealer (there is a good list at trapdoorcollector.com) and buy the proper screws, even if they are $10 (or whatever) apiece.
It is not like they are totally unobtainable.

Absolutley no promises as to when, could well be a year or more, but, since I am about done collecting, my 40-year stash of spares should probably be distributed around. Having said that, I do not think I have any Krag sight screws.

I think I might have found a source for some OEM Krag screws but I'm still missing a front sight blade. The screws seem to be harder to find than the sight! This rifle was a wreck but it headspaced on a No-go gauge, so I'm trying to get it back into service. It's coming along, slowly but surely...

[newkragguy]

was looking for some parts myself and noticed that both of these places have the parts you need.
www.ssfirearms.com and www.dechristophermilitaria.com

Have bought from both before. dependable and good quality.