Krag Collectors Association Forum

Greetings! I picked this converted sporterized former Model 1898 Krag Rifle up at a local gun shop for a good price and shooter. I would like to de-sporterize as much as possible. I believe it is one of the number converted by CMP in the early 1900s. Would the forum members please advise me exactly which original model number parts I need to add including the rear sight, front sight, and upper handguard? Thanks in advance.

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'mgkasper' - There was not a "CMP" in the early 1900's.

In 1903, the Director of Civilian Marksmanship ("DCM") was established by Congress, as a department of the U.S. Army.
The role of the DCM was the promotion of Civilian Marksmanship and rifle practice. Some arms and ammunition sales became available to NRA members.

The big Krag rifle and carbine 'sell off' came in the mid-1920's. There was a big demand for carbine length Krags for hunting and sporting purposes. The supply of carbines was quickly exhausted.

Around 1927, Benecia Arsenal, was authorized to make a carbine length Krag, by cutting the rifle barrel to a 22-inch length and affixing a 1903 Springfield front-sight.
Initially these 'cut-downs' may have been put in carbine stocks. Quickly, it became necessary to shorten rifle stocks to carbine length.
This is the Krag that is often called an "NRA Carbine" or "DCM Carbine".

IMHO - Your Krag with its 24-inch length barrel and commercial front-sight is clearly a Krag rifle that was Civilian "Sporterized" for hunting purposes.
This was a mighty common practice, when an NRA member could buy a Krag rifle for a $1.50, through the DCM.

The "NRA Carbines" altered by Benecia Arsenal sold for $3.50.

In the 1920's & 1930's Gun-Sight companies and Gunsmiths did lots of business catering to the demand to turn overly long Krag rifles into convenient hunting arms.

To make your 'sportered' Krag look similar to an "NRA carbine", you would have to remove the current rear-sight and install an original Krag rifle rear-sight, hand-guard and original sling-swivels.

To take the project further, you would shorten the barrel to 22-inches, re-crown the muzzle, 'step' the barrel at the muzzle, and install a model 1903 Springfield 'banded' front-sight.

IMHO - This work and expense would not significantly increase the value of your Krag.

So a 1903 or a similar height front sight would get you near a 100 yard sight in and look pretty good with a 1901 rear sight. Neither the rifle or carbine sight would shoot correctly at longer ranges with the 24 inch barrel. But you could make corrections once you have the front sight dialed in at 100 yards. Your rifle has a good "Krag look" except for the sights.

Br beat me to the sights. Seems like I remember him fitting a front sight by filing the barrel to fit a 1903 sight. The 24 inch barrel would require a fuzz less turning or filing. A 24 inch barrel is very a very good length for a sporter, personally I would leave that as is, rather than try for the full carbine look by shortening it to the 22" length.

Thank you, Gents! I really appreciate the insightful advice and very helpful comments. Is the front sight shown above for an M1903 Rifle or Krag? Also, do you have a reliable source for front handguards?

I looked for the post where Br installed the front sight by the Khyber Pass method and did not find it but I did find this thread that may be helpful: viewtopic.php?f=11&t=5716

Br, looking at the attached image you posted of the muzzle end of your Krag with the 1903 front sight, what is the distance from the muzzle to where the front sight edge starts? I was not able to locate any documentation that discusses that measurement. Thanks!

'mgkasper' - I did not consider that dimension (from muzzle-crown to front edge of the 1903 front-sight band) to be critical.

When installed on a 'shortened' Krag barrel, it is mainly about what looks 'right'.

There is usually no need for exact tolerances, unless, positioning, fitting and locking a bayonet is involved.

In point of fact, I installed the 1903 front-sight by 'eye'. My barrel measures .382 inches from the 'crown' to the front edge of the 1903 sight-band.

I have another Krag sporter that a gunsmith altered into a simulation of an "NRA-carbine", years ago.
The dimension, from the crown to the front edge of the sight-band is .430".
The difference between these two 1903 front-sight installations is .048 inches, (or 48 thousandths of an inch), about the thickness of a dime.

Attached is a drawing from Brophy's "The Springfield 1903 Rifles", page 455.
It shows the dimension to be .41 inches, (.410" or 410 thousandths of an inch), from the 1903 Springfield barrel-crown to the front edge of the 1905 front-sight band.

On the 1903 Springfield, this dimension is important, because attaching a bayonet with a muzzle-ring is involved.

Thanks a million for taking the time to post the extremely helpful information! This is very helpful and perfect!