Gun show 1898 Krag.

[scottz63]

Picked up my first Krag at my favorite small-town gun show today. Old guy made me buy it for so cheap. Serial number lookup says 1900 and the stock cartouche says the same. Bore is the best I have ever seen on a Krag, bright and great rifling. Now I need to find some ammo that is not $100 or more a box. Lol!

I am welcome to listen to any comments, SRS data, or info on it.

Couple of quick pics for now.

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[scottz63]

The bad: It does have a couple of small issues though. It has the wrong rear sight, it's an 1896 version. I need a windage adjustable 1898/1902 version. It's also missing a chunk of forestock but, it has been missing for a long time and that does not bother me much.

The good: It has a great bore for a Krag. Bright and very good rifling. Muzzle wear gauge says 1, which is awesome. I have stripped it down and it looks like it has not been fired much. Great mechanical condition as far as I can tell. Headspace is good, will not close on a No-Go gauge.

Overall, I think I got a great deal at $450. I have been wanting one for a long time. Price, condition, and ammo cost have kept me from buying one. I'm happy with it. Just need to get some ammo and see how the old girl shoots now.

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[butlersrangers]

'Scottz63' - Welcome to the KCA Forum. (I also responded to your post on the Milsurps Forum).

There is no SRS listing for U.S. Krag serial numbers 244531 or 244581.

Your front sight is a commercial ramp. Your barrel has been shortened. The muzzle crown is not Springfield Armory work.

Some civilian owner altered your model 1892 handguard. It looks like the sight opening might clear both model 1901 and model 1902 rear sights.

The attached photo from the KCA main pages nicely shows the various U.S. Krag handguards and their respective rear-sight openings.
Springfield Armory would not have put an obsolete model 1892 handguard on a model 1898 Krag.

The model 1896 sight was used on some model 1898 rifles. (BTW - The elevation locking-knob has been sheared off of your sight).
A Model 1901 or model 1902 sight would likely have been installed, on your Krag, during rifle refurbishing, along with a correct handguard.

[scottz63]

Thank you! I'm happy to be here!

Thanks also for all of this great info on my recently purchased Krag. I bought it for a really good can't pass price. I can live with a few problems. I enjoy fixing them. Too bad no SRS info on it, that would have been cool.

Just ordered a complete 1902 sight and screws for it.

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[scottz63]

Quick pic just snapped outside as the sun just set, kind of weird lighting. Rear sight turned around and installed a spare WW2 Enfield sling for now.

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[butlersrangers]

Manual page on model 1902 rear-sight:

[scottz63]

Awesome! Thanks!

[scottz63]

These are on the bottom of the wrist just behind the trigger guard. I'm guessing the "Circle P" is the proof mark? What about, what appears to be, the number 80 above it? Just another proof/inspection mark?

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[butlersrangers]

The 'circled' Script "P" is a function and Proof Stamp, found on most U.S. Krag stocks.

A small number, or initials, are found on Krag stocks just behind the trigger-guard.
These are believed to be a sub-inspector or stocker's mark.

[scottz63]

Thanks! That's what i figured they were. Trying to learn everything about these beautiful Krag's I can, like all of my surplus firearms.

Another question, numbers matching parts on these, are there any? Only serial number I have found is on the receiver. There are a few miscellaneous single numbers here and there like a number 4 on the underside of the bolt handle.I took it out of the stock and did not even see anything on the barrel.