Messed up Krag

[Sunshineboys]

It seems that all I find here are Krags which have been messed with. Is there anything here which has value? Can members advise what this really is? Serial number on bolt does not match. I do not have a close up of the rear sight yet.

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[butlersrangers]

'Shunshineboys' - You have an altered Norwegian Krag model 1894 service rifle, serial number 1871.

It is in 6.5 X 55mm ('Swedish Mauser') caliber. Your stock has been shortened and the handguard has been eliminated.
It appears the original 29.5" barrel has been shortened, the bayonet lug eliminated, and the front-sight was crudely re-attached.

The Steyr arms factory in Austria was contracted to manufacture 33,500 model 1894 rifles for Norway.
10,000 were produced in 1896 and the remainder in 1897.

Your rifle is a desirable Krag in its original configuration, but, this one has been amateurishly altered, by a civilian owner, for hunting.
It is beyond restoration and its value has been reduced to utility purposes.
If the bore is good, it could still be a fun shooter and truck rifle.

6.5 X 55 mm Ammunition is readily available, but should be limited to milder pressure 'starting' loads.

Attached photos from Steyr manufacturing specifications for Norwegian model-1894:

[butlersrangers]

A British custom rifle made from a Steyr made (1897 dated) Norwegian Krag and Lee Marvin with 'cut-down' Krag, (like your rifle), in "Death Hunt".

[butlersrangers]

'Sunshineboys' - I forget that you are in Canada. A lot of Norwegian Krags went through Canadian 'vendors'.

Some Norwegian rifles were altered by Canadian dealers for the hunting public.

An alteration you may run into, is a Norwegian barrel, shortened at the breech-end, and re-chambered for the 6.5 X54mm Mannlicher-Schoenauer cartridge.

Here's another picture of Lee Marvin with his/your Krag!

[Sunshineboys]

I see the rear sight on the one in your photo is interesting. Hard to tell from the photos I have if the one on the rifle I posted is the same. Do the rear sights have value? Dave

[butlersrangers]

I don't know which picture you are referencing?

The British custom Krag rifle has an 'express' style of sight put on it.

The other photos and sketches, including 'Death Hunt', show the Norwegian M-1894 sight.

The last photo of Lee Marvin may have the 'sight's outline' distorted by the leather strap and gear, that is behind it.

The Norwegian military sights get priced around $70 on eBay. (I doubt there is much demand).

Elder Canadian collectors may know more about these 'altered' Norwegian Krags, because a lot of them were imported to Canada and some alterations were done by Canadian retailers, in order to market and sell them.