SRS check

[Darren]

Greeting all!

I am thinking of purchasing an 1898 model Krag, SN 156001.
I think my great uncle might have carried one similar in the Philippine Insurrection. It looks to be in decent shape but I'm going by pictures.

Advice? Thoughts?

Darren

[psteinmayer]

Any chance of posting some of the pictures here? It's hard to give a decent assessment of a Krag's value without being able to see it. It may be sporterized, cutdown, or otherwise altered and a novice might not be able to spot the modifications. An SRS hit is great, but due to the loss of the majority of the records, hits are few and far in between... and a hit (or lack there of) doesn't mean that the Krag is not a great purchase or value.

[Darren]

Here are a few pictures of the Krag I am interested in purchasing. I do not have access to the gun directly. Hope these photos will help.

[Dick Hosmer]

What is the asking price? Unless it is awfully cheap, you can do much better. Look at the offerings on www.gunbroker.com

That is a pretty rough Krag, and the late seller, whose business is being liquidated by the family, had a VERY bad reputation with regard to trapdoors.

[Darren]

Asking price is down to about $650, which didn't seem too bad to me. I haven't seen too many original Krags go for much less than that but I admit inexperience here.

d

[Dick Hosmer]

Bingo - and, that is not an "original" Krag - the metal (receiver) is at least two years off the stock date, so it is no blushing virgin.

That firm's trapdoor business was (is still?) well-known for assembling guns from parts - in at least one case (known to me because I was a witness in the court case) with clear intent to defraud.

Am not saying every piece they have is bad, just that they have a bad history, and purchases should be carefully scrutinized.

I personally would not pay anywhere near $650 for that particular rifle, and would strongly suggest patience and further research.

[Darren]

Thank you sir!

That is the kind of insight I was looking for.

Regards,

d