Howdy from Central Wyo,
Years ago, a mentor gave me this Krag sporter. I've seen 1 other here in WY just like it, but it was very well used.
What do I have?
4 cataract and 2 torn retina surgeries later my days of shooting "peep" sights are over.
Along with my 1st question, may I get a ballpark value?
God bless,
Doug
Central Wyo
[/img]
What do I have?
- butlersrangers
- Posts: 10346
- Joined: Wed Oct 07, 2009 11:35 pm
- Location: Below the Bridge, Michigan
Re: What do I have?
'WyoSav99'/Doug - Welcome to the KCA Forum! That is an interesting Krag that you were gifted by a Mentor.
It is hard to tell a lot with only a few dark distant photos and no markings. A serial number and Model date would be useful information.
I believe you may have a model 1899 carbine, that has been altered a bit for Hunting.
The barrel looks to be 22 inches long. The stock appears to be a model 1899 carbine stock, with a carbine barrel-band.
I see no evidence of your stock ever having been fitted with rifle sling-swivels.
A clear view of the front-sight base and muzzle-crown (and a measuring of the barrel length) will allow determining the barrel identity.
The serial number and markings will allow confirming the receiver. 'Model 1899' marked receivers were built as carbines.
I think your metal and wood have been refinished. This damages the historical value and desirability for collectors.
Oddly, the contour of the magazine loading-gate on your Krag appears (to me) to be from an earlier Model 1896 action.
This would be an incorrect replacement.
It looks like there is a hand-guard on your Krag's barrel, but no barrel mounted rear-sight.
Your carbine-length Krag is wearing a commercial 'peep-sight', that was manufactured by Leroy Rice Co. of Elyria, Ohio.
This was a popular and inexpensive hunting-sight back in the 1930's to 1960's. It was a 'bolt-on' rig and did not require new drilled and tapped holes.
I would estimate the value of your Krag at $400 to $500, as a utility rifle. It does look to have been refinished.
Maybe, if it is a Model 1899, has a good bore, and can be restored to carbine configuration, it might be worth a little more.
It is hard to tell a lot with only a few dark distant photos and no markings. A serial number and Model date would be useful information.
I believe you may have a model 1899 carbine, that has been altered a bit for Hunting.
The barrel looks to be 22 inches long. The stock appears to be a model 1899 carbine stock, with a carbine barrel-band.
I see no evidence of your stock ever having been fitted with rifle sling-swivels.
A clear view of the front-sight base and muzzle-crown (and a measuring of the barrel length) will allow determining the barrel identity.
The serial number and markings will allow confirming the receiver. 'Model 1899' marked receivers were built as carbines.
I think your metal and wood have been refinished. This damages the historical value and desirability for collectors.
Oddly, the contour of the magazine loading-gate on your Krag appears (to me) to be from an earlier Model 1896 action.
This would be an incorrect replacement.
It looks like there is a hand-guard on your Krag's barrel, but no barrel mounted rear-sight.
Your carbine-length Krag is wearing a commercial 'peep-sight', that was manufactured by Leroy Rice Co. of Elyria, Ohio.
This was a popular and inexpensive hunting-sight back in the 1930's to 1960's. It was a 'bolt-on' rig and did not require new drilled and tapped holes.
I would estimate the value of your Krag at $400 to $500, as a utility rifle. It does look to have been refinished.
Maybe, if it is a Model 1899, has a good bore, and can be restored to carbine configuration, it might be worth a little more.
- Attachments
-
- WyoKrag 1.jpeg (107.2 KiB) Viewed 758 times
-
- WyoKrag 2.jpeg (146.06 KiB) Viewed 758 times
-
- WyoKrag 3.jpeg (118.57 KiB) Viewed 758 times
Re: What do I have?
Thanks so much, Butlersrangers!
The barrel is 22.25" long. The left side of the receiver is stamped: US< 1898, Springfield Armory, 3XXX12 (serial #). The base of the front sight appears to be inset into the barrel rather than soldered on to the barrel, (?). The blade of the front sight is replaceable. The blade that came with the rifle had been filed to a knife edge. I made a new blade from an old brass key. I was working on a 220gr cast bullet load for the rifle. I was in the process of filing down the front sight to print dead on at 100 yds, with the rear sight set in the middle of the adjustment range.
It's the dead of winter here in central WY but it has been too warm to form any ice on the local reservoirs, so no ice fishing this winter.
Think I'll restart this project to see if I can find a sweet load.
Again, thanks so much, Butlersrangers!
God bless, Doug
Central Wyoming
The barrel is 22.25" long. The left side of the receiver is stamped: US< 1898, Springfield Armory, 3XXX12 (serial #). The base of the front sight appears to be inset into the barrel rather than soldered on to the barrel, (?). The blade of the front sight is replaceable. The blade that came with the rifle had been filed to a knife edge. I made a new blade from an old brass key. I was working on a 220gr cast bullet load for the rifle. I was in the process of filing down the front sight to print dead on at 100 yds, with the rear sight set in the middle of the adjustment range.
It's the dead of winter here in central WY but it has been too warm to form any ice on the local reservoirs, so no ice fishing this winter.
Think I'll restart this project to see if I can find a sweet load.
Again, thanks so much, Butlersrangers!
God bless, Doug
Central Wyoming
- butlersrangers
- Posts: 10346
- Joined: Wed Oct 07, 2009 11:35 pm
- Location: Below the Bridge, Michigan
Re: What do I have?

This is how Krag barrel lengths are measured. A real U.S.carbine barrel will measure 22 inches, if done with a cleaning-rod.
Springfield Armory manufactured the Krag front-sight base, starting with a 'block' of steel.
The 'block' was dovetailed and bronze-brazed to the rough barrel-blank, about 1/2 way through a 'thirty-some step' barrel machining process.
This 'block' was a locator point for the timing of the barrel-threads and rear-sight holes.
Eventually the block was shaped and contoured into the Krag front-sight base, which appears almost solid with the barrel.
BTW - Your Krag model 1898 receiver, number 3XXX12, is not in any known carbine range and must have once been a rifle receiver.
- Attachments
-
- krag'99-blade-ed2.jpg (200.81 KiB) Viewed 582 times
-
- Mallory blades (1).JPG (719.08 KiB) Viewed 582 times
Re: What do I have?
Thanks again Butlersrangers,
The photos you sent of the front sights match my rifle.
Also, the barrel measures 22" using your method.
Its intriguing to me that here in central Wyoming I have seen another rifle like this one.
I'm wondering if a gunsmith way back in the day produced these "sporter carbines" for an entry level rifle during the depression?
The photos you sent of the front sights match my rifle.
Also, the barrel measures 22" using your method.
Its intriguing to me that here in central Wyoming I have seen another rifle like this one.
I'm wondering if a gunsmith way back in the day produced these "sporter carbines" for an entry level rifle during the depression?
- butlersrangers
- Posts: 10346
- Joined: Wed Oct 07, 2009 11:35 pm
- Location: Below the Bridge, Michigan
Re: What do I have?
Companies like Bannerman's, Stokes-Kirk, and R.F. Sedgley did mail-order and showroom Krag sales, from the early 1900s to the 1940s.
These vendors attended government auctions and bought complete Krags, as well as, surplus parts.
They were able to offer refurbished Krags, Krags assembled from parts, contrived Krag rifles,
and even some guns that mixed Krag, 1903 Springfield, and Model 1917 parts.
Your 'parts carbine' and the similar one, that you saw, could have come from such a source.
But then again, lots of parties could have assembled useful Krag "carbines" from parts.
These vendors attended government auctions and bought complete Krags, as well as, surplus parts.
They were able to offer refurbished Krags, Krags assembled from parts, contrived Krag rifles,
and even some guns that mixed Krag, 1903 Springfield, and Model 1917 parts.
Your 'parts carbine' and the similar one, that you saw, could have come from such a source.
But then again, lots of parties could have assembled useful Krag "carbines" from parts.
- Attachments
-
- Stokes-1920.jpeg (642.11 KiB) Viewed 489 times
-
- stokeskirk-1928.jpg (290.13 KiB) Viewed 489 times