Krag Collectors Association Forum

I just acquired a Model 1898 Krag. Pretty good shape except for the front end of barrel. When I got it, it did not have any sights. They were removed and had added a scope. Well, I didnt want the scope on it so I removed it. I just purchased a set of rear sights at a local gun show today. I was wondering what to purchase for the front. I have done a lot of internet searching but have really not come up with anything. There are 4 holes. Looks like 2 are just extra for maybe moving sight forward. If I can figure out how to add photos here Ill do so. But my question is 1st, I dont really know what I have as far as sporterized, carbine, ?? 2nd, where can I get a front sight? Thanks

'Slabstick' - Welcome to the KCA Forum. I don't know what length your model 1898 Krag barrel now measures.

It looks and sounds like your Krag was shortened for Hunting purposes. It appears it has worn a number of different front-sights in its time, as well as, having been drilled & tapped for a scope-mount.

One of the previous front-sights likely was a 'banded' 1903 Springfield sight. (That is why your barrel has been stepped and has a cross-pin groove).
This was a popular choice, when civilians cut-down Krag rifles.

These bases show up frequently on ebay and at gun-shows. One would likely fit your 'stepped' barrel muzzle and could be secured in place with J&B-Weld glue.

This would be a cheap solution and hide some of the blemishes. The other extra sight holes could be filled.

Attached photos; A copy of Slabstick's barrel/muzzle area and a cut-down Krag barrel with a 1903 base and Marble's blade.

This assumes your Krag is now a cut down sporter and you are not trying to make it into an official configuration again. If you want to inexpensively clean up the muzzle end and install a sporting front sight you might look at cutting off the stepped portion, filing the muzzle flat and chamfering it to uniform the rifling end. I used an RCBS chamfering tool for that.

You can get a Marble's front sight base and dovetail sight for less than $25 and either have the barrel drilled and tapped for the one screw that attaches it (about $25 by a gunsmith) or just JB Weld it in place. The base will cover the remaining two holes and will actually give the JB Weld more to grab onto if you used that method.

I went the JB Weld route on my Sporter's sight base and it was in place for 13 years until the barrel was recently replaced with a Criterion and then I had the new barrel d/t'd for the same base when cut and re-crowned. So far the old barrel with the filed and chamfered crown was easier to find good loads for than the Criterion. I also just did the cut, file and chamfer of an 1884 Trapdoor and attached a Marble's sight base with JB Weld.

mavt
when you got your new criterion barrel where and who did you get to install it ??
looking to replace my barrel any info would be appreciated
SB