'Mudmaker' - Welcome to the KCA forum. It is very neat that you have inherited a Krag, passed down from your grandfather.
US. model 1898 rifle, #475045, was built near the end of U.S. Krag production. Your Krag rifle was assembled around August, 1903.
The rear-sight is the model 1902 sight.
Your stock 'cartouche' is [J.S.A.-1903]. The initials stand for Joseph Sumner Adams, asst. foreman, Springfield Armory Assembly Room.
The rifle was inspected and accepted into service in 1903. There is likely a stylize "P" in a circle, stamped on the stock, behind the trigger-guard.
This indicates the rifle was proofed and function tested.
The stamping on your butt-plate 'tang', probably indicates, "Company I./ rack #41", (regiment now unknown).
Krag rifles continued in service till around 1907-08; they were widely used as training arms during WW1.
Your sling is a U.S. model 1907 type sling. This is not a Krag sling, but, better for shooting than a Krag sling.
You were gifted a pretty nice Krag rifle ... Enjoy!
Welcome and a very nice Model 1898! Your gift from grandpa looks to be all in military configuration, nice to see. Many we see have been sporterized.
Let us know how it shoots.
Vic
Preparedness + Opportunity= Luck
NRA Benefactor Member
KY & WV State Rifle & Pistol Association Life Member
Thanks for the info guys. I am on the hunt for some ammo this week. I am amazed this gun is nearly 120 years old and all the parts operate and fit together so well.
A question for the experts, since this Krag has a late serial number and date of manufacture is it possible that it did not go in for the arsenal rebuilds? If so it would be more likely to be in exact configuration it was in when it left the doors of SA. Any big step up in value if has never been rebuilt?
