Krag Collectors Association Forum

I came across this interesting Krag carbine at a local gun store the other day. At first glance I thought it was just another over priced mix mash of put together Krag parts that didn't deserve a second look, but curiosity got the better of me.

Serial number is 119559 putting it in the range of 1898 manufactured carbines (depending upon which reference sourced used).

It has a milled muzzle end for a bayonet.

1899 carbine stock with a JSA 1901 cartouche.

1901 rear rifle sight and hand guard.

One of those shiny blued barrel bands.

Funky looking front sight that doesn't look quite right along with a rounded blade.

22 inch barrel with a surprisingly nice look bore.

Consignee was asking $850 but would go down to $750.

What do you guys think? Could it be a legit 1898 Krag carbine???

More photos.

More photos.

...and more photos.

'Local Boy' - You pose a good riddle on a Thursday morning!

The serial number, 119559, definitely falls in the range of 1898 carbines (and also rifles).
FWIW - It is 185 digits lower than the number on my model 1898 carbine.

The mystery is: Why the 'stepped-muzzle' for a bayonet?

One possibility is that it is a model 1898 carbine that was converted to a "school rifle" and a dealer or hobbyist later installed the barreled/action into a stock from a model 1899 carbine.
(The current carbine stock, with its 1901 'acceptance cartouche' and circled "P",
would have been originally part of a model 1899 carbine, assembled and accepted in 1901).
A model 1898 carbine updated to model 1899 configuration, by S.A. or an arsenal, would likely have a circled "P" but no 'acceptance cartouche'.

Another possibility, is that the barrel is a rifle barrel cut to 22 inches. The shortened new muzzle was 'stepped' for a couple of inches.
A 'bushing', made from the stub of rifle barrel's muzzle-area, was slipped onto the stepped 'carbine' length barrel to provide an economical front-sight.
(I am likely wrong, but in your photo, it appears there could be a 'seam' and sudden diameter change, where I have inserted an arrow).

If I am just fooled by the photograph about the 'bushing', then the first scenario is likely.

If the barreled/action is from a model 1898 carbine, it is a mixed 'parts carbine', with some nice parts.