New member with a new to me 1898 Rifle

[blackelim]

I just acquired a 1898 U.S. Springfield Krag rifle.
Serial Number is 462799. It has had the front of the stock cut in front of the upper band about 2 1/2 inches in front of the band. Missing the front band and bayonet mount. Stock is stamped 1902 and P by the trigger guard. The rest of the rifle seems to be complete and in usable condition, barrel has turned brown as has most of the receiver.
The barrel bore is in very good condition with no visible rust or pitting, strong rifling also.
If this is not something that is significant historically I have a quandary as to what i should do with this rifle. Should I leave as is and try to find a better stock or shorten the barrel and make a carbine clone or constabulary clone?
I really don't like the idea of cutting a good barrel but if it is not a good collectable then why not?
Looking forward to the experts opinions and thoughts.
What Would You Do?
Thanks for all inputs that the forum discussions provides.

[butlersrangers]

'blackelim' - Welcome to the KCA Forum!

If the barrel is 30-inches long, get a reproduction forearm section and 'stretch' your rifle stock.
(Try Numrich Arms for the new forearm section).

Ideally, you can hide the splice under the rear barrel-band.
The new wood can be stained and finished to approximate the original wood.

A Krag front-band and stacking swivel can be purchased off eBay or from parts vendors.

Please post some pictures of your Krag, for more complete feedback.

If you use the KCA 'search button' feature, you can look for a subject like "stock splice" and find old threads on a subject.

[blackelim]

I'll take some pictures and try to post them tomorrow, I have only given it an oil wipe down so far. I need to watch a few videos to make sure to disassemble correctly.

[butlersrangers]

'blackelim' - Would you please explain your screen name? ... I'm just curious about the meaning.

BTW - Not all internet video makers know their stuff or what they are talking about. I've seen some bad ones.

I 'bumped' an old thread about disassembling the magazine-gate and hinge-pin. You might find some of it useful.

There is a lot of content on the KCA Forum about taking things apart.

Use the KCA search feature for good hints. Invest in good gunsmithing screwdrivers that fit screw-slots, if you don't have a set.

[blackelim]

I owned a very rare car, Mercury Eliminator. It is a "One of One" car. The color is black.

[blackelim]

Pictures

[blackelim]

More pictures of rifle

[blackelim]

I Removed the action from the stock to do a clean up and condition check on this rifle.
My options are; turn it into a carbine clone or restore the stock to the correct length.
Before I cut anything can someone check this stock to see if it is converted to carbine stock?
The square plug looks like it is a very old modification is well blended to the original wood. Did the armories do this to make carbine stocks?
I want to be certain that I am not destroying a valuable stock.
Thanks

[butlersrangers]

Your stock is a cut-down rifle stock, that is why it requires a wood plug, (to fill the exposed lightning-cut).

U.S. Krag carbine stocks have a different lightning-cut arrangement, so that the forearm tip in front of the barrel band is solid.
Also, Krag carbine barrel-bands are held in place by a spring, inletted into the right side of the carbine forearm-tip.

[blackelim]

Another question, what is the original finish on the receiver? It seems to be a plating, maybe nickel plated?