1901 handguard with 1902 sight?

[Lead Snowstorm]

Gentlemen,

I have recently noticed a couple of Krags which appear to have mismatched handguards and sights. At least one selling site claims that the 1901 handguards were arsenal modified to allow the use of 1902 sights, and this sort of jury-rigging was tolerated as the end of the Krags service lives drew nigh. I am a tad skeptical that this represents any sort of official arsenal practice, but figure if anyone could confirm it would be the group here!

Rifles in question:

https://www.gunbroker.com/Item/868942086 (I threw in a lower bid early and wasnt totally surprised or displeased to be outbid; I will admit Im a bit surprised where it ended up. Nice rifle to be sure, but still...)

http://www.yankeeartifacts.com/MilitaryRifles.htm (First rifle on the page, D596; this is the source of the claim referenced above.)

[S99VG]

These guns have been in civilian hands for so long that the odds of a private owner changing out the hand guards probably outstrip those of an arsonal having done it.

[butlersrangers]

I doubt this was a practice at US Armory, Arsenals or Depots.

Bannerman's, Stokes-Kirk, or VFW Post? .... maybe.

[Dick Hosmer]

The gun broker one: repro hand guard! Bad rivets - bad forming at front end and too short - bad patina match. Not official work. My .02, YMMV.

[Ned Butts]

Spot on Dick

[Whig]

Have Krag prices been going up again?

The bidding on this is somewhat surprising. Seller started at a low price and was not too revealing in item description of problems. I don't agree with condition of bore. Rifling looks strong but it is pitted pretty bad and not what I would call "bright and shiny". Front stacking swivel wrong also. Is that a crack in the stock underneath near the rear trigger guard? Hand guard looks better than some but wrong as Dick pointed out.

Otherwise, I would place a value around $700 for this. Don't see any other features that excite me. Nice cartouche.

I wouldn't have bid on it. There are many better examples out there!

Thanks for sharing, though. Always interesting to review a Krag for sale.

[Lead Snowstorm]

Thanks folks, agree on all points. My bid was a couple hundred less than $700...I strongly suspected I wouldnt win at my bid, but where it ended up really surprised me and made me wonder if *I* was the one missing something.

[butlersrangers]

Lead Snowstorm - Auction Frenzy of some participants is the only explanation. Your valuation was realistic.

The 1903-A3 Butt Swivel and broken 'stacking-swivel' will cost $50-60 to make right.

Dick Hosmer is correct about the wrong & poor reproduction hand-guard. (The sight-leaf is resting on wood and not full 'down' - btw).

A proper and original hand-guard will cost over $150, if you find one.

The Italian walnut stock looks nice and possibly drove a bidding 'war', but, there is a minor chip in front of the loading-gate.
Whig is correct. There is either a dark stripe or serious crack in the wrist, not clearly shown by the numerous pictures.

At best, it would take $200 and luck to make this a $700 to $800 Krag - IMHO.