OALW 82

[kw64]

k

[kw64]

OK, more photos

[butlersrangers]

'kw64': Your 1901 rear-sight is all rifle sight and falsely marked with "C"s. Your rifle sight leaf has a built in drift correction. A real carbine sight leaf does not angle for drift. (The inside edges of the carbine leaf are parallel to the outside edges). A correct 1901 carbine rear-sight costs about $250.

It is hard to tell. Some of your photos appear like there is some refinish of metal or wood. It could be just the 'Flash'.

IMHO - What I see is worth $700-$800 (value of parts). I would give it a higher value, if I saw it in person and saw that every thing appeared to be the original looking finish. The picture of your front/sight muzzle area looks good, as does the action. What is the condition of the bore?

The 'OALW' plate, you mention, bothers me. It sounds like it is recessed in a sling swivel mortise. You have a real carbine stock. However, I don't like carbine stocks that have been fitted for a butt sling-swivel. You have a nice stock, but, the '1901 cartouche' date does not match the acceptance period (1899-1900) of carbine #235XXX. It is a pretty looking carbine.

I hope this is helpful.

[kw64]

Thanks, added a photo of the OAWL piece. The bore looks good. But I do think I will return it. I don't like the idea of a faked rear sight, especially for what I paid for the gun. Rubs me the wrong way I guess. Good learning experience, and still in the market for a "correct" carbine......

[kw64]

Never cease to have questions..... the Poyer book states on page 168 that "the model 1901 carbine rear sight was originally assembled to all Model 1899 carbines after serial #345,000....." That begs the question of what rear sight was used prior to serial number 345,000? Earlier he states that the 1898 rear sight was added to 1899 carbines between serial numbers 242,000 and 285,000. So what was used before on the 1899 carbines. The one I have has a serial number of 235,xxx. Thank you

[butlersrangers]

I am not an expert - I am an amateur:

A model 1899 carbine, (#235XXX), built in 1899, likely has had three to four different rear-sights on it, during the course of its service:

1. When first built, it probably had the 1896 carbine rear-sight.

2. This could have been upgraded in early 1900 to the 1898 carbine sights developed for the 'hotter' 2,200 fps round. (This ammo was withdrawn from service in March, 1900, due to cracked bolts. Carbines in storage were not updated immediately).

3. 1896, 1901, and 1902 carbine rear-sights are all believed to have seen use, on updated/re-sighted carbines, when the 1898 sight and 2,200 fps ammo were abandoned.

4. For a time, the 1902 carbine rear-sight, (1,000 made), was preferred on Regular Army carbines, because it was most like the sight on the new 'Rod Bayonet' 1903 Springfield.

5. With 1905 changes to the 1903 Springfield, the 1901 Krag carbine rear-sight became preferred for Regular Army Service. It was most like the sight on the re-designed 1903. (1902 sights supposedly went to National Guard use and 'School Rifles').

The 1899 carbine, you have, is conceivably 'correct' with any of the four Krag carbine rear-sights (with appropriate hand-guard). The cheapest and easiest carbine rear-sight to find is the 1901 type.

To anticipate your next question: The 1899 'humped' hand-guard, for use with the 1896 carbine sight, appears in 1900.

The 1902 'humped' carbine hand-guard, for use with the 1901 carbine sight, was ordered in February, 1902, as a replacement on carbines (with the 1901 carbine rear-sight and regular hand-guard).

Potentially, lots of things can be correct on an early Model 1899 Krag Carbine - IMHO!