The recent acquisition of a Wheeler barrel-vise allowed me to do a barrel switch, I had contemplated for some time.
One of my favorite Krag 'shooters' is a model 1899 carbine action that had a cut-down rifle-barrel put on it long ago.
Another fun shooter was the 'remains' of a model 1898 carbine. The carbine barrel was dovetailed for an open sporting sight.
The carbine's 1898 action was drilled and tapped for a side-mount.
The 1898 carbine was beyond restoration.
Having accumulated an 1899 carbine stock and 1902 carbine rear-sight, it was my goal to assemble a "Parts" 1899 Carbine, utilizing the 1898 carbine's barrel.
"Up-Grading" Faux Carbine
- butlersrangers
- Posts: 9908
- Joined: Wed Oct 07, 2009 11:35 pm
- Location: Below the Bridge, Michigan
"Up-Grading" Faux Carbine
- Attachments
-
- carbine1.jpg (291.11 KiB) Viewed 3550 times
-
- carbine 1898 sportered4.jpg (135.35 KiB) Viewed 3550 times
-
- a carbine barrel switch-0.jpg (239.98 KiB) Viewed 3550 times
- butlersrangers
- Posts: 9908
- Joined: Wed Oct 07, 2009 11:35 pm
- Location: Below the Bridge, Michigan
Re: "Up-Grading" Faux Carbine
The job progressed, with the real carbine barrel installed on the 1899 action.
A temporary 'patch' was made for the barrel's civilian dovetail, so that an original carbine sight could be securely attached, with original screws.
A more refined 'patch' will ultimately replace the current one. Getting the sight hole spacing correct, is critical!
As assembly progressed, I discovered the original carbine stock interfered with trigger function, when stock screws were snugged-up.
Blackened areas of compressed wood were a 'roadmap' to where some carving was needed. (Yes, that's Italian walnut, under the stain).
A temporary 'patch' was made for the barrel's civilian dovetail, so that an original carbine sight could be securely attached, with original screws.
A more refined 'patch' will ultimately replace the current one. Getting the sight hole spacing correct, is critical!
As assembly progressed, I discovered the original carbine stock interfered with trigger function, when stock screws were snugged-up.
Blackened areas of compressed wood were a 'roadmap' to where some carving was needed. (Yes, that's Italian walnut, under the stain).
- Attachments
-
- carb5.jpg (94.61 KiB) Viewed 3548 times
-
- carb6.jpg (122.2 KiB) Viewed 3548 times
-
- carb6a.jpg (115.21 KiB) Viewed 3548 times
-
- carb1.jpg (103.65 KiB) Viewed 3548 times
-
- carb2.jpg (156.07 KiB) Viewed 3548 times
Last edited by butlersrangers on Tue Jan 05, 2021 5:21 am, edited 1 time in total.
- butlersrangers
- Posts: 9908
- Joined: Wed Oct 07, 2009 11:35 pm
- Location: Below the Bridge, Michigan
Re: "Up-Grading" Faux Carbine
Another thing needing 'tuning' was the action of the 1899 carbine's Magazine-Gate. It was unusually difficult to open the Gate and it snapped-shut rather violently.
The culprit seemed to be the (magazine-gate/carrier-follower) spring. The end of the spring, that engages the cam on the carrier, appeared worn and the spring seemed more bowed,
which had an effect on fit and function.
I replaced the spring and this smoothed function considerably! (With Krags, you learn something new all the time)!
Well, I enjoyed this project and am happy with the overall appearance. It is a "parts gun" with all carbine parts, except for the .413" rifle front-sight blade.
BTW - The 'knobless' cocking-piece is not 'correct' in this serial number range. I just like the way it looks.
(Hey, the 'sportered' 1898 carbine maybe even looks better. It has a Krag rear-sight for 'back-up', now).
I hope both Krags shoot just as good with the barrels swapped, as they did before!
The culprit seemed to be the (magazine-gate/carrier-follower) spring. The end of the spring, that engages the cam on the carrier, appeared worn and the spring seemed more bowed,
which had an effect on fit and function.
I replaced the spring and this smoothed function considerably! (With Krags, you learn something new all the time)!
Well, I enjoyed this project and am happy with the overall appearance. It is a "parts gun" with all carbine parts, except for the .413" rifle front-sight blade.
BTW - The 'knobless' cocking-piece is not 'correct' in this serial number range. I just like the way it looks.
(Hey, the 'sportered' 1898 carbine maybe even looks better. It has a Krag rear-sight for 'back-up', now).
I hope both Krags shoot just as good with the barrels swapped, as they did before!
- Attachments
-
- carb8.jpg (100.49 KiB) Viewed 3548 times
-
- carb10.jpg (102.78 KiB) Viewed 3548 times
-
- carb7.jpg (118.26 KiB) Viewed 3548 times
-
- carb10b.jpg (74.06 KiB) Viewed 3548 times
-
- carb4.jpg (145.93 KiB) Viewed 3548 times
Re: "Up-Grading" Faux Carbine
Nice upgrading!
Preparedness + Opportunity= Luck
NRA Benefactor Member
KY & WV State Rifle & Pistol Association Life Member
NRA Benefactor Member
KY & WV State Rifle & Pistol Association Life Member
Re: "Up-Grading" Faux Carbine
very nice!!!!!!!!!
Ad Reipublicae his Civitatum Foederatarum Americae, ego sum fortis et libero. Ego autem non exieris ad impios communistarum socialismi. Ora imagines in vestri demented mentem, quod vos mos have misericordia, quia non.
Μολών λαβέ
Μολών λαβέ
Re: "Up-Grading" Faux Carbine
Well done BR!!!
- Dick Hosmer
- Posts: 2292
- Joined: Sun Nov 20, 2005 4:11 pm
Re: "Up-Grading" Faux Carbine
Very nice! Really neat trick on the rear sight - but I guess one has to be lucky as to where an a-hole PO cut same. If coverable like yours, very fixable. Needless to say I'm sure one must fit the dovetail block snugly before drilling that all-important hole. Once again - sure looks great!
-
- Posts: 368
- Joined: Fri Feb 05, 2016 11:42 pm
Re: "Up-Grading" Faux Carbine
Nicely done. Your build is right down my alley. My bud just gave me his cutdown to do a faux school rifle rebuild on. He has a legit carbine but was wondering what I could do on his cut up rifle. Just getting started on it. It had a goofy home made sling swivel on the buttstock that I’m removing, will put a block in and then cut a correct sling swivel mortise. Also started on the forend stock extension and have it shaped to fit the bbl band. The band will hide the seam. It’s got a recvr sight on it which he wants to keep so I’ve got an enfield handguard ordered, hopefully it fits, will be a solid handguard. Going to rivet some mauser handguard clips to it. I also want to recut the sanded out grasping grooves. He really likes my school rifle but not enough to buy his own and mine’s not for sale.
Re: "Up-Grading" Faux Carbine
Nicely done! Ready for some woods stalking!
-
- Posts: 368
- Joined: Fri Feb 05, 2016 11:42 pm
Re: "Up-Grading" Faux Carbine
The 12.00 enfield handguard was too small. Back to the drawing board. I need a solid handguard for it. Anybody got any ideas on a handguard from another rifle that might work? I found a solid krag handguard but he’s not going to spend 100.00 for one. Got an old garand handguard that I’ll play with this week.