Krag Collectors Association Forum

When I open the buttplate where the oiler and cleaning rods are kept, there is a hollowed out area under where the cleaning rods are stored. Is that normal?

Oui.

https://kragcollectorsassociation.org/k ... php?t=7083

I'm talking about this. This opens into a hollow cavity below the 3 holes the cleaning rods slid I to

Is this the solution?

That's correct. An extra hole to remove wood to make it lighter.

Good looking Krag and nice looking cat.

The stock is glossy and 'spotted' in areas. There may be an ugly coat of varnish or shellac on the wood.
A hard 'wipe down' and cleaning with Mineral Spirits will make things look better and allow assessment of further wood treatment.
The 'cartouche' is too loaded with crud, right now, to read the markings. The 'cartouche' should 'clean-up' and reveal the year.

There is an hole worn through the handguard. This can be patched with a small piece of walnut or some stained epoxy.

Good looking Krag!

That is not actually a hole in the handguard. Just an illusion from the camera Is the rear sight a 2nd type 1901 rifle sight. And did they change the handguard to a different style or does that look like the correct one for the rifle year.

You have a model 1901 rifle rear-sight and the correct rifle handguard for that sight.
There was only one style of Rifle handguard, used with the m-1901 sight.

Around 1902, a 'sight-protecting' Carbine handguard was developed, with a 'hump' to protect the model 1901 carbine rear-sight,
as the carbine was inserted or withdrawn from the saddle scabbard.
This Carbine specific handguard is not correct on a rifle.

As far as I know, all model 1901 rifle sights, regardless of minor part variations, were still regarded as model 1901 sights.
Springfield Armory did not identify model 1901 sight 'variations' as "types". That is a modern collector and 'gun book author' thing.
Officially, even when changes were introduced to the sight, it continued to be a model 1901 sight.

Attached: Pages from "Description and Rules for the Management of the U.S. Magazine Rifle - Model of 1898"

Nice find - looks like a good solid specimen - yes, that is the 1901 sight. I see your cat likes it - have one (cat) just like it . . .