Identifying my buddy's new Krag Carbine

[Keith Herrington]

A buddy of mine just picked this up for $200. Sights are perfectly regulated for 100 yards with my 180 grain handload. Bore is in fine shape. Serial number (133XXX) shows 1899 production. He and I are planning on doing a detailed strip and clean, but doubt we'll find anything amiss. Appears to be a well cared for gentleman's deer rifle.

[Keith Herrington]

More pics

[butlersrangers]

Your buddy lucked out! I would like to see the front sight.

The stock, hand-guard, rear-sight (carbine sight is worth $600), and barrel-band are 1898 carbine. The receiver #133XXX is in the model 1898 carbine range and was built in 1898.

Only 5,000 model 1898 carbines were made. Many were updated to model 1899 carbine stock and are less desirable.

(I saw the front sight picture, after I first posted. The barrel is a carbine barrel with commercial blade).

[butlersrangers]

IMHO, your friend bought a rare model 1898 carbine in very nice condition. He should forget 'Deer Hunting' with this Krag, due to its scarcity and high value. The "No Drill" Redfield #70-K rear sight should be removed and 'Cut-Off' replaced. It would be wise to contact Joe DeChristopher or one of the KCA advertisers to try and locate a carbine blade.

[Zgun]

+1. Wow, what a find for $200.00.

[Dick Hosmer]

Yes, $2000 would not have been too much for that one.

[psteinmayer]

Another case of "Someone didn't know what he had, and let it go for a song!"

[butlersrangers]

" ....... and someone didn't know exactly what he was buying and got it for a song".

[Dick Hosmer]

Yep, cuts both ways - unless you have unlimited funds, and/or just don't care, the ONLY answer is to educate yourself BEFORE buying OR selling.

[S.B.]

PM sent on your buddies new Krag.
Steve