Another "tell me about my Krag" thread!

[Whig]

"In the range of..." means absolutely nothing. Actually, it means it isn't documented and has no additional value based on any known history. It's a marketing scheme to catch the novice who is easily convinced of claimed added value when there is none.

[Culpeper]

There’s a couple of legitimate 1899 carbines for sale on GB right now. One is currently $800 and another a few hundred more. There’s also a constabulary carbine used in the Philippines that has some interest but currently just under $1,000.Not many of those around. A true 1896 is quite the first step into carbines. Unless money is no concern, I’d lean towards an 1899 carbine and enjoy it.

Constabulary carbines can be considered something that can be FAKED in the modern times. The same with 1896 carbines. Spin on a carbine barrel to a rifle receiver, pay for a carbine stock and hand guard, and Bob's your uncle, presto an uber rare M1896 Carbine carried by Roosevelt's horse, Trigger. ...to the unknowing and unresearched.

Buy the gun not the story. Get the M1899. Check the bore condition and the overall appearance.

[Dick Hosmer]

Watch out for "Philippine Constabulary Rifles". There is exactly one (1) specimen in the entire US - owned by a member here - that is believed by certain knowledgable collectors to be a legit PCR as actually modified AT the Manila Ordnance Depot. One.

99.99% of them (and that's not counting those which are out-and-out fakes) will prove to be "school guns" made by the thousands for US college ROTC units, prior to 1910. They are "interesting" and certainly a collectible variation, but not worth much (if any) premium over a normal service carbine.

I'd definitely recommend starting with a Model 1899 until you become a LOT more knowledgeable as to what is and what isn't - that will save you untold grief...

[saxdogg]

Gentlemen, this is a lot of great info, again, thanks for all the thoughts.

I have ordered the Poyer book (Amazon $29) and will focus on the 1899, you're right, all I'm really wanting is a good quality shooter with at least reasonable condition. I will peruse Gunbroker as well!

[butlersrangers]

Lots of information, photos and useful discussions, are available for free, by searching the KCA Forum's earlier pages.

[Culpeper]

I think I found you a good 1899 carbine candidate. Doesn't have a carbine sight but it does have a headless cocking piece. The place has other Krags too. The important thing is it is not Gunbroker. You'll have to talk with them about bore condition. The only bad thing I can see is someone screwed sling swivels in to the stock at some point. Don't do that.

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[saxdogg]

I think I found you a good 1899 carbine candidate. Doesn't have a carbine sight but it does have a headless cocking piece. The place has other Krags too. The important thing is it is not Gunbroker. You'll have to talk with them about bore condition. The only bad thing I can see is someone screwed sling swivels in to the stock at some point. Don't do that.

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Hey Culpeper! I see all the pics, but I'm missing the link or seller if it's there...thank you for scouting one out.

A previous post mentioning gunbroker also had a decent one I thought. I don't mind GB too bad, I 've had generally good luck with it. Here' that one too: https://www.gunbroker.com/item/1189495375 -- I reached out to that seller already and he replied about the rear sight having a "C", couldn't see it in the picture.

[Culpeper]

Dang. The GB one looks great! I'd would buy if the bids does not go too high. Ask the seller how long or times it has been on GB. Just to see if it has been there a while with no takers. If it has been there more than a couple of times, because sellers will relist an item, the odds of you winning it is better than average.

Here is the link to the other.

https://www.gundersonmilitaria.com/carb ... fl011.html

[saxdogg]

Dang. The GB one looks great! I'd would buy if the bids does not go too high. Ask the seller how long or times it has been on GB. Just to see if it has been there a while with no takers. If it has been there more than a couple of times, because sellers will relist an item, the odds of you winning it is better than average.

Here is the link to the other.

https://www.gundersonmilitaria.com/carb ... fl011.html

Thank you! I thought the same thing for the GB one, sometimes those minimum bids scare people off. I'll check out the other one though too.

[Whig]

Hi. That one in your GB link with no current bids, $800 start price, I have a few observations. The rear stock might have a large repaired crack from the back of the trigger guard rearwards. I'm not sure but this is an area where we see cracks on Krag stocks. That needs to be checked. The stock wood appears to have been varnished, which can be removed. The barrel band is on backwards, just an observation to correct. The bore looks quite heavily pitted, although the rifling looks good, which is where accuracy can come from in these Krags. The rear sight had me concerned at first because it looks like, in one of the pictures, someone stamped or etched a big "C" on the right side which is bogus. The slide does appear to be calibrated to 2300 yards, which would be correct for a Model 1901 carbine sight. I can't see the "c" on the front of the left side of the base which should be there. Many Model 1901 rear sights are mixtures of carbine and rifle parts. That might need to be checked. For some reason, the front of the magazine handle has a ring around it like it has been soldered or something. I don't know what. Probably nothing. It does have a nice hand guard and the front sight looks authentic. I would want these concerns checked carefully before bidding or just keep looking for one without questions or concerns. The price, now, is reasonable. I would prefer a better bore for a Model 1899 carbine. Most have good bores. Just some observations.