Krag Collectors Association Forum

Yesterday I stopped by one of my favorite pawn shops to see if they had anything new since my last visit. I've become kind of a regular there and the clerk I know came out and showed me a couple rifles I hadn't seen before. The clerk mentioned that he had more to come out, as soon as they had more room in the racks. I asked what he had in the back and he was nice enough to go and make a list for me. One of the items was a 30-40 Krag. I asked to see it and a couple other rifles. The Krag was the last one to come out and once I saw it, I didn't let go.

From what I can see, I assume this rifle was arsenal refurbished because the receiver dates to 1898 which is before Springfield started using Italian Walnut for it's stocks. Also, there is no Springfield inspection cartouche on the left side. Instead it has a capital letter "C". Does anyone know what that means? The stock is also marked with the initials "A.L." and a non-serifed "P" firing proof behind the trigger guard. The bore is like new and the rest of the rifle shows only minor use. The stock has some faint tiger stripes and is in incredible condition. I'll let the pictures tell the rest of the story.

Very nice!! Italian walnut stocks are my favorites!!!

That's a mighty beautiful Krag - Well Done!

I'm no expert, but my guess would be that the rifle was arsenal serviced sometime before WW1, and then never re-issued. Many Krags spent time in England and France in rear echelon duty during the Great War. Perhaps some of the more knowledgeable members here will know more...

Did you find anything in the butt trap?

That is the nicest straight military Krag I have ever seen.

Unfortunately, there was nothing in the butt trap. Interesting, I guess I never associated Krags with WWI. It would be nice to know the meaning of the "C" stamp on the stock, if any.

The usual meaning, in US military circles, of a large "C" prominantly struck, though often multiple times, is "condemned". That is probably not the case here, but I do not have an alternative to offer. The A.L. initials are fairly common, being a SA Stocking Dept. sub-inspector's stamp - I suspect they pre-date the "C" and non-serifed "P" (very uncommon on Krags) on this stock. The metal has definitely been refinished, but, all-in-all a VERY handsome piece. Congratulations on a nice find.

OR Hunter: Please check the Forum Topic "stock markings' a little further down this page. I took the liberty of attaching the photo of the "C" marking on your stock to the topic so it would move up to this page.
I think these 'rebuild' marks are overlooked, poorly understood, and ripe for research. Mallory touched on them very briefly in the second edition of "The Krag Rifle Story". He mentioned seeing a rebuilt Krag with the "C" mark, but did not know what facility it signified.

Thanks Butlersrangers! I saw your post. Maybe more information will turn up some day, but we may never know.

I know this is an old thread but I am new to Krags. I have a M1903 Springfield that has no cartouche other that a "C." I was told that was an indicator of Rock Island Arsenal rebuild, which would seem to be corroborated by my rifle having an RIA barrel on a Springfield receiver.

Photos would help get better feedback.