New (for me) Krag

[Whig]

You're right, Chuck, but that's part of the Krag fun...lots of different roads to travel with any specific Krag analysis. All of it educational and enjoyable.

[King carp]

Thanks guys for the sight tutorial. Now i am confused! LOL. I think i will leave the rear sight as it came for now. I would like to take it to the range first before changing anything. In general i try to keep things as i get them to keep what history is left of them intact. Of course there are exceptions to the rules. As near as i can determine the front sight is 11/32nds. tall. It stands 11/64ths. above the top of the front sight base. I did not see a letter "c" on the front sight blade. Thanks again for all the help on my find.

[butlersrangers]

'King Carp' - Thanks for the front blade measurement. (11/32" is 0.34375 inches). [I would estimate your blade to be actually about .351"].

William Brophy, in the "Krag Rifle", gave the 'height' dimension of the carbine blade, (independent of its base), as .355 inches.
The "C" marking on the blade was visible, when installed in the base.

Your blade is close to the .355" dimension, but without the "C" mark, it is a likely reproduction blade. (This is commendably honest).

The .355" blade was used with the model 1898, 1901, and 1902 carbine rear-sights.
(Brophy based the height dimension on the average of ten measured samples).

BTW - The 1896 carbine rear-sight was used with a shorter blade. The blade (alone) measured .266 inches.
The "C" marking on the 1896 carbine blade is hidden, when the blade is installed in its base.

Your carbine, 362073, was in the 3rd Block of model 1899 carbines, and when first produced wore the model 1901 carbine rear-sight. It could have been updated later to the model 1902 carbine rear-sight. (Both Mook and Poyer's serial number tables estimate your carbine was assembled around December 1901, so a 1902 'cartouche' date is pretty tidy. Your wood grain looks like Italian walnut, to me.

BTW - If this was my carbine, I'd shoot it with the current rear-sight.
If I also had a model 1898 carbine sight with a 'blemished' base, I'd put the best parts together for a 'restored' sight and try that on the carbine, too.

For people who really care, the Dickson model 1898 (three-notch) carbine sight would be confined to the very first manufactured, model 1899 carbines.
Numbering 5,150, these were in the 225691 to 230581 serial number range. (Joe Farmer identified this as the 1st Block of model 1899 carbines).

(This first batch of model 1899 carbines were produced around September and October, 1899, per Mook and Poyer's serial number tables).

[Dick Hosmer]

The base spring IS definitive - I guess the angle of his photo makes the ramp look higher. My photo is more from above and emphasizes that the ramp does not come up to the leaf on the 98C.