My New Bubba Acquisition

[Bill77]

Greetings all - my first post here!

I managed to snag this rifle yesterday from my dealer for the princely sum of $400. I don't believe that price to be exceptional, but I personally found it fair. He had what I originally thought was a bubba'd Krag that I thought would be fun to bring back to a military configuration, maybe as a proper carbine. After looking it over, I have to say that whoever did the work wasn't a hack as I think the work is really tastefully done.

The Serial Number on the receiver is 473315, which I show as being manufactured in 1904, so I have no idea if this is a Bannerman rifle or not. With the exception of the mag bottom and left side of the receiver, the overall finish/patina on the rifle is pretty dang nice. The muzzle gauges right at "1" and the barrel looks like it was cut off right at 22" and an 03 Springfield front sight was installed.

I'll be honest with ya - the rifle is really handy and just feels good in the hands. I may very well end up leaving things as-is with this one.

[FredC]

Welcome!
I was expecting something really ugly but you have a good looking sporter. I like pistol grips for hunting, not sure how that one fits you. Unless you have some carbine parts with it or that pistol grip does not feel comfortable to you, I think I would use it as is. Trying to take it back to as issued appearance would be expensive.

[todd444]

very nice!!!

[butlersrangers]

'Bill77' - Welcome to the KCA Forum. You took some very nice photos!

Your altered U.S. rifle is too nice to be called a 'bubba Krag'. The workmanship is too good to be 'Bannerman'.

IMHO - Every Krag collection should have at least one nice example of a Krag altered by a civilian for Hunting. Your Krag fits the bill and should be enjoyed, as it is.

BTW - Your Krag, # 473315, was likely assembled in August, 1903 (per the late William Mook's data) or November, 1903 (per Joe Poyer's calculations).

[Parashooter]

For my personal taste, the added pistol grip is awkwardly exaggerated. Were it mine, I would re-shape along the lines of the image below - giving something closer to classic form.

KragReshape.jpg (130.71 KiB) Viewed 2778 times

[butlersrangers]

Back in the late 1920's and early 1930's the DCM was selling Krag rifles to NRA Members for $1.50.

There were many American Rifleman articles suggesting ways to tweak your Krag for Hunting.

[Bill77]

Wow! Thank You for the information everyone. BR - digging up that article is especially helpful. It almost appears that this rifle was made using that article as a guide.

While I do have some Carbine parts that I managed to source over the past year or so, I tend to agree with Fred in that I'm inclined to leave it alone. Not so much because of the expense, heck we've all probably spent money for foolishly - but because it's just a nice rifle. It really feels great in the hands and I wish more modern rifles can be as balanced as this one feels.

[Knute1]

BR did find a nice vintage article to read, not sure what year it is from.

I'd have to say that a Krag sporter ranks right up there with a Marlin Model 336 or Winchester Model 94 leveraction for handiness. Except it has better ballistics than a 30-30 or 35 Remington. Nice looking rifle you have there.

[Knute1]

BR did find a nice vintage article to read from 1931.

I'd have to say that a Krag sporter ranks right up there with a Marlin Model 336 or Winchester Model 94 leveraction for handiness. Except it has better ballistics than a 30-30 or 35 Remington. Nice looking rifle you have there.

[butlersrangers]

American Rifleman article was from November, 1931.

Here are three more pages, unfortunately the last part on altering triggers is missing.