Correct rear sight?

[Rapidrob]

Would / could a 1898 rife made in 1903 have installed by Springfield a 1901 lever base windage ladder sight?
The sight does not look like it has been added on at a later date.

[butlersrangers]

IMO - A U.S. Krag rifle, assembled in 1903, probably was initially fitted with a model 1902 rear-sight.
The sight may have been changed, if the rifle was officially reconditioned.

In the Chief of Ordnance report for the Fiscal Year, beginning 7/01/1903 and ending 6/30/1904, mention was made of the production of model 1902 sights being of adequate numbers to allow the replacing of model 1892, model 1896 and model 1898 sights on arms coming in for arsenal rebuilding. The goal at that time was to reduce five types of rear-sights to two acceptable models, the 1901 and 1902.

Another thing occurring, during that Fiscal Year, was the initial production of Model 1903 Springfield rifles.
The plan was that, when adequate numbers of Model 1903 Springfield rifles became available, the Krag rifles would be reconditioned and put in reserve.

(We know, by history, that the 1903 Springfield rifles did not replace the U.S. Krag rifles, on a wide scale, until around 1907 -1908.
Also, the early caliber .30-03 'Rod-Bayonet' 1903 Springfield rifle, would be much altered by changes in 1905 and 1906).

"New Springfield Rifle" developments were to have an influence on Krag rifle sights.

The 'Rod-Bayonet' 1903 Springfield rifle had a rear-sight that evolved from the Krag model 1902 sight.
This is believed to have caused a preference that Krags issued to the Regular U.S. Army, during the 1903 -1905 period, be equipped with model 1902 sights.
However, the change in 1905 to a new Springfield rear-sight, that functioned like the Buffington sight, caused a preference that Krags issued to U.S. Regulars have the model 1901 sight.

It is possible that some of this is oft repeated 'urban legend'.
However, it is true that model 1901 and model 1902 sights replaced earlier Krag sight models during rebuilding efforts in the 1900s.

[Rapidrob]

Thank you for the info.

[Dick Hosmer]

Not to quarrel, but if the rifle is in fine condition, with a perfect match of handguard to stock, it is not IMPOSSIBLE that the 1901 is original, so I'd recommend proceding with caution. The rule of thumb USED to be that a 1901 indicated regular army use, and a 1902, militia issuance. That seems to be contradicted by the posting above, so may have just been an old wive's tale. One thing for certain, Krag sights were like a game of musical chairs.

[butlersrangers]

Dick Hosmer, I was not advocating that the OP change the rear-sight on his Model 1898 Krag rifle.

I was endeavoring to explain, that even if his rifle was initially assembled in 1903 with a model 1902 rear-sight, events unfolded that might have resulted in an official change to the model 1901 sight.

I don't think there is much to disagree about. I was advising to leave the rifle as found.

[Dick Hosmer]

Chuck, I don't think there's ANYTHING to disagree about, nor did I mean to infer that you were suggesting he change his sight.

On a different note, hope to get the photos of 389182 taken and off to you this week.

[butlersrangers]

Dick, I am looking forward to the photos!