Help finding correct rear sight on 1898 Krag

[ArizonaTravis]

Hello everyone,
I am attempting to restore my grandfathers old 1898 Krag. It is a sportified gun and has a solid single pillar front sight. It fires great and the bolt is still silky smooth. I took off the cheap scope that had been placed on this gun which it appears my grandfather drilled two holes into the gun to attach. This does not seem to effect its function. I have been attempting to locate a correct rear sight for this gun but have been having some problems. In googling, I have found most returns come back to a rectangular sight with an elevation slide that attaches with two screws, in front and back. However, I cant find where this would attach on my gun.

If anyone knows what sight, either original or a close to original as possible would fit this gun, I would be most grateful. I have attached a couple of photos hoping this will help.

Thanks

P.S. If I have posted this in the wrong area, I apologize and will move it if needed.

[Whig]

Travis,

A couple comments on your Krag. It's quite a treasure to have a functioning rifle that belonged to your grandfather. I have an old shotgun of my grandfather's that doesn't function but I love having it. Since I love Krags, I would cherish one belonging to my granddad!

Your Krag receiver has been drilled for a scope mount. I don't know which one would fit but that is why there is no rear sight.

The rear sight for the Krags all have the same screw holes. All Krag sights are inter-changeable but the hand guards, which yours also does not have, are different for different rear sights.

You might have a replacement barrel on your Krag. It also might have had the two rear sight holes filled in. I cannot tell from your picture.

The cut out on your barrel is a dove tail that has been made to slide in a rear sight that fits that specific dove tail. I had one of these on a Krag I got years ago.

So, you can use a scope or find a dove tailed rear sight that fits.

Others may chime in to add more info about the receiver mount for a scope or other details.

Hope this helps some.

Good luck and keep us informed!

[FredC]

A couple notes here. I noticed the carbine stock. Does it have a carbine length barrel? Original sight is going to be expensive. More photos would help figure out if is should be restored as a deer getter or carbine. A close up of the area of the sight dovetail may show plugged screw holes. A photo of the front of the stock will reveal the condition of the stock. If restored as a deer getter trading an original carbine stock for a rifle stock could get you some funds for a lot of do-dads for a deer rifle (dovetail sight or good scope).

[ArizonaTravis]

Thanks for the help so far. I have attached a few extra pictures to help.

[Whig]

Can you add an additional photo of the front right side of the stock? This is necessary to determine, as Fred pointed out, if it is a carbine stock. The remains of the sling ring does not guarantee it was originally a carbine stock, although a sling ring was used on some original carbine stocks.

[ArizonaTravis]

Absolutely. Here are some photos. Thanks for all the help so far.

[Whig]

Well, that is (was) a nice carbine stock. Someone dug out a channel under the barrel band to put a sling ring through. Ughh!

There is a slotted screw put on the front of the stock to, apparently, stabilize a large crack. This should be removed, if possible. It can be filled and glued instead of using a screw.

The barrel band is backwards and should be removed and put on so the "U" is on the right side.

How is the bore of this sporterized Krag?

[ArizonaTravis]

The bore is actually pretty good. I don't know how much my grandfather used it when he was alive but I know he used it at his ranch for predators who might have threatened his cattle. A lot of critters probably met their end there.

My grandfather was a rancher who was brought up near the end of the depression so he would jerry-rig and fix anything himself instead of throwing anything away or buying anything new. I assume this is where the miscellaneous alters to the gun would have taken place. Also, I can't imagine the amount of banging around this would have had on the tractor and other equipment he brought this on and probably just tossed around. This is definitely a gun that has had better days but because of that, reminds me of him and is priceless.

My end goal was to keep the gun as close to how he left it as possible but just did not really like the old cheap scope that he had on it which was actually loose. I have actually purchased a really nice restored krag last year and that is the main one I shoot (when ammo is not super expensive) but it is nice to take this one out once in a while. It just has a more well used (in a good way) feel.

[FredC]

If the scope mount is good and the rings are for a common size putting a good scope on it would be the fastest way of getting it back to a shooter. I saw no traces of filled screw holes for an original sight. If the dove tail is a common fit, any number of good sights may be available. Using an original SA sight would entail drilling and tapping new holes or finding the originals and removing the plugs.

Many here do not mind revealing the serial number, the number might be helpful in knowing whether this was an original 1898 carbine. There is a current list of 98 carbines being compiled on KCA. So far there are less than 20 of the 5000 or so originals known. I am not sure if the list includes heavily modified sporters or not.

If this was an original carbine it might be worth looking for a box of parts that were removed, many times the original parts are found in a corner or somewhere. Carbine rear sights are worth more than a pretty penny.

[Whig]

You're right that you've got a priceless family heirloom there. Just think of the stories that could be told of your grandfather carrying that Krag around with him on the farm and plugging away at unaware predators. What fun!

So, fix it a little to stabilize the stock and I agree a nicer scope would be great. But, keep it otherwise as it is to remind you of your granddad.

You should show us pictures of your other Krag too. Love seeing new ones.