Value of my 1898 30-40 Krag

[powder_river]

I inherited a 1898 30-40 Krag from my grandad some 40 years ago. Ser. No. is 420298. I know absolutely nothing about this rifle but from what I've read, it's been "sporterized". The front sight has a gold bead with a flip up post with white dot. The open rear sight is stamped "C.T. Demport, Solvay, N.Y." The butt plate is brass and has "SWA" embossed on it. I shot this gun when I was a kid, taking one deer with it, and it was pretty accurate. I had brass and reloading dies for it but have no idea what happened to them. Too many moves, I guess.

It's not in too bad a shape but, then, I'm not a collector. There is some corrosion toward the front site and the stock has an interesting "crack" in it. Looks like someone splice in a piece of wood.

As I have no one to pass this gun along to, I think I'll sell it. It's probably a little rough for you collectors but I thought maybe you could help me with the value and the best way to sell it. I figured I'd put in on one of the net auctions.

Here are some links to pictures:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v620/WyoBob/Krag/DSCN0802.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v620/WyoBob/Krag/DSCN0803.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v620/WyoBob/Krag/DSCN0806.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v620/WyoBob/Krag/DSCN0805.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v620/WyoBob/Krag/DSCN0804.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v620/WyoBob/Krag/DSCN0807.jpg

Thanks for any help you can give me. I appreciate it.

Bob

[Parashooter]

Your rifle would be an interesting vintage Krag sporter if the stock had been shaped in a classic style. As it is, the proportions are likely to repel most knowledgeable buyers and make it unlikely to bring much more than $200 at auction. But you never know. Somebody might love the poor beast!

[powder_river]

Thanks for the reply, parashooter.

My guess is the barreled action was restocked during the depression. Otherwise, it sure wasn't a very good choice of stocks. But, the barrel and action are in pretty good shape.

I looked at Krag's on a couple of auction sites for rifles in similar condition to mine that had been converted from stock. I think your estimate would be pretty close. Many offered for auction never received a bid. I did see several that were not original that were in worse shape that brought more. Kind of a hard thing to pin down.

Anyway, thanks a lot for your response.

Bob

[Parashooter]

There are some "rules" for classic American stock lines. Among them -

1. The bottom stock line should point straight from toe to root of triggerguard.
2. The bottom line of pistol grip should extend from point of grip to heel.

If you were to apply these to re-shaping your stock, it would look something like this -



There's still too much wood missing forward of the comb, and the joint of the added wood has visible gaps, but it's a bit easier on my eyes with the changes shown.

[dave w]

you krag was made in 1902.