Krag Collectors Association Forum

Hi Guys... I just bought a 1899 carbine that is in very nice shape. The bore is great.
No cartouche on the stock that I can see. The front sight blade has a E stamped on
the right side. (WTH)? Serial no. is 2798xx. I'll try to post pics later after my camera
battery charges.
leadhead

Did you get a good deal? M1899 carbines are wonderful Krags. to own. Hope the pictures show a real winner!

Yes, I got a smokin deal.
leadhead

A U.S. Model 1899 carbine, in the 2798XX serial number range, would have been assembled around August or September of 1900.
Your carbine was built at the beginning of the second block of model 1899 carbines. (There were three major blocks or groups of model 1899 carbines, produced in 1899, 1900, and 1901).

FWIW - It is possible that your carbine was originally fitted with the carbine version of the 'three sight-notch' model 1898 rear-sight, (or it just missed it).
Your Krag was produced near the end of the period when the .30-40 cartridge had its velocity increased to 2,200 feet per second.

The 'elevation curve' of the model 1898 sight-base was specifically machined for the ballistics of the 'short lived' faster cartridge.
These model 1898 sights were replaced when the higher velocity ammo was withdrawn from service, due to cracked bolt lugs.
Replacement sights were designed for the trajectory of 2,000 f.p.s. ammo.

Looking forward to seeing pictures of your carbine!

See if this works...

Forgot to say.... It also has the 3 rods and oilier in the butt.
leadhead

That is a nice looking model 1899 carbine, with a correct model 1901 carbine rear-sight and the 'sight-protecting' hand-guard.

This hand-guard was adopted later to prevent the 1901 sight-leaf from jamming and being bent or broken in the Cavalry saddle-scabbard.

Your front blade is not a Krag part. It may be a re-shaped 1903 Springfield blade.

Attached photo of an original model 1899 carbine front-sight. (S&S firearms, Glendale, N.Y., sells replica carbine blades).

Thank you sir.... You are a wealth of information. I thought the front sight might not be right.
I've been on here before in 2018 when I bought a "real" 1898 carbine, and came here for
verification. I sent many pics of it to the forum, and was finely told I had the real deal.
I will see if I can get a replacement front sight. Not sure about the pin. It looks to be buggered
up some. Do the pins come out right to left, or left to right? I can't seem to remember.
Thanks for any more info you can share.
Denny AKA leadhead

Do you happen to know the dimensions of the sight blade?
I work with tools and do a bit of gunsmith work, so I think
it wouldn't be to hard to make one. Thanks.
leadhead

The Krag front-sight pin is tapered. It is properly installed from the right-side and driven out from the left.

Up in "chit-chat" yesterday, 'Knute' posted an interesting General Order #95, that discussed the front-sight pin and how they were lightly 'peened' on the left-end, once installed.

Replica front-sight pins are available from S&S Firearms.

It is relatively easy to make a replacement pin from an over-size soft steel nail:
'Chuck' the nail into an Electric-Drill and rest the Drill on the edge of a work-bench.
While the nail is spinning, slightly 'dome' the end and shape the body taper with a hand file. When the taper is close, finish polishing with emery-cloth or abrasive-paper.
Cut the new pin to approximate length, 'chuck-up' the finished part, and shape the raw end. Color with some 'cold-blue' and heat with propane-torch, if you want "patina".
(I think 'mushrooming' pin in place is overkill. The taper will hold it in place).

When removed from the base: The Krag model 1899 carbine front-sight blade is .355 inches tall. The rifle blade is .413 inches tall.