Springfield Krag Composit Model 1898 Carbine

[Whig]

This is an item recently sold on an online auction. (My title above is the title from the auction listing.) I have posted some of the pictures below from the listing. Does anyone notice anything slightly interesting? I'm not really in the market for any bad sporterized Krags but I bid on this and took a chance and bought it for $300. At least I'll have some parts I might be able to use or resell.

[Whig]

another picture...

[scottz63]

Not too bad for $300, It is worth that in parts at least. That drilled and tapped receiver is a shame though.

The rear sight is on backwards.

If you part it out and sell stuff off of it, I need that top handguard for my 1898 to make it correct.

Scott

[Whig]

The hand guard and sling are nice for the price. I'll keep you in mind when I get it. Keep looking. VERY subtle! (clue)

[scottz63]

The hand guard and sling are nice for the price. I'll keep you in mind when I get it. Keep looking. VERY subtle! (clue)

Yes, they both are. Thanks!

I can't see anything else besides the rear sight, I am not learned up enough on these yet. Lol!

Edit: It does appear that the straight top-down view is a different rifle. Second pic to last. I am seeing two different handguards?

[Whig]

Mistake. Thanks for pointing that out. The picture you refer to, I had to check, I had gotten mixed up from another set of pictures when I was making copies to post here. That one has been removed.

One detail that is evident is that the rear sight is backwards in the first pictures.

There is still another detail that I am counting on to be in my favor.

[scottz63]

Your welcome.

I saw the backward rear sight but, still looking for something else.

[Dick Hosmer]

It MAY just be a highlight in the photo, but I THINK I see the dip in the slide - you sly dog, you!! Congrats may be in order - double/triple your money? Maybe you need one? I don't, but a LOT of people do. Keeping my fingers crossed for you!!!


UPdate: I looked again, closely - I'm pretty sure it is . . .

[scottz63]

What is the "dip in the slide"? Rare variation maybe?

[Dick Hosmer]

What is the "dip in the slide"? Rare variation maybe?

That is an 1896 sight. The rifle version is graduated to 1800 yards and the top edge of the slide (when leaf is erect) is perfectly flat. The carbine version is graduated to 2000 yds, and there is a very slight depressed area at the notch, about 3/8" wide. I see a glint at exactly the right location for the corner of the depression, so it MAY be. 1896C sights have been scarce since I began collecting in 1970; now they are RARE and command absurd prices, reportedly as high as $1,000. None of the auction photos (that Whig posted) show the feature clearly. Maybe there are others that he did not post, to test us - if not, he'll have to wait until the mailman comes! I suspect/hope B/R - who has a ready library of sight photos - will chime in to illustrate what I described.