Another family gun

[butlersrangers]

'Scottz63' - That is an interesting aperture 'disc' on your Redfield receiver-sight.

The removable eyepiece has a 'swinging plate', that allows a choice of different size aperture holes.

(I find it easier for cleaning, to simply remove the entire receiver-sight, with the micrometer version, model 70K, of the Redfield 'no-drill' sight).

The 'non-micrometer' version, of the Redfield 102K and Pacific K-1 sights, allows easy rising of the elevation/windage slide, for convenient bolt removal.
A set-screw allows an accurate return of the slide, to the 'sighted-in' position.

The Pacific K-2 micrometer sight requires the elevation staff to be laboriously 'unscrewed' and removed, in order to take the Krag bolt out of the rifle.

[Another-Steve]

Those redfields look to probably be worth more than the rifle itself!?! How do the no-drill sights attach? Do they slide into the single shot mag cut-off hole?

[ebruce]

Oh boy! Just found this post. Sat here and read the whole thread. That is a beautiful rifle. By all means, take it to the range and see what it will do. If possible, load up some 180 gr. flat base round nose bullets. Spire points would likely also work if they will feed. In a long gone world, the only guns I could afford usually had fair to poor bores. I found that cast bullets loaded over moderate powder charges would often give good or even excellent on target results. The bullet needs to fit the throat. I crimped some of my early loads, but soon found that no crimp was needed except to straighten out where I belled the case mouth for the bullet. HTH. Look forward to range report. Sincerely. bruce.

[scottz63]

'Scottz63' - That is an interesting aperture 'disc' on your Redfield receiver-sight.

The removable eyepiece has a 'swinging plate', that allows a choice of different size aperture holes.

Yes, I have several aperture discs of varying designs that have adjustable size aperture holes. Makes for a perfect scenario at the range. Light conditions and distance to target can necessitate a different size aperture hole. I even have some that have a brass ring around the hole that appear to pick up more light.

[butlersrangers]

'Another-Steve':

The Pacific 'no drill' sight base replaces the Krag magazine-cutoff lever. It has a shaft like the cut-off lever, that fits into the receiver opening.
An allen-screw, on the base, locks it into place using receiver machining.

The Elevation/Micrometer (of the 'target-knob' version) screws into the base with a very fine thread. There is no provision for 'quick-release' of the top slide.
The 'staff' has to be raised a great deal to remove the Krag bolt. The elevation setting is disturbed.

The Redfield 'no drill' sight base is held onto the receiver by a longer than standard side-plate screw.
There is also a sheet metal plate that mounts on the back of the base and hooks into the cut-off hole.
(The magazine cut-off is removed from the receiver, this can add some roughness to the cartridge-feed).

The Elevation/Micrometer (of the 'target-knob' Redfield version) functions like the Pacific 'target-knob' sight. There is no quick-release of the elevation staff.

The more basic 102K Redfield and K-1 Pacific sights have simple screw windage and elevation adjustments. The Pacific K-1 elevation slide is supported by a smooth adjustable pin.
The 'staff' elevation, of these peep sights, is locked into place by a large head 'coin-slotted' screw. Loosening the 'coin-slotted' screw allows easy raising of the slide. The set-screw on the Redfield 102 or the adjustable-shaft of the Pacific K-1, if 'set', allows an easy return of the staff to the 'sighted-in' position.

(These 'aftermarket' peep sights for the Krag have risen in price during the past few years).

[Another-Steve]

Thanks for the info… I can definitely see the foundations of the later Redfield Palma and Olympic sights in these early models.

[butlersrangers]

The Pacific and Redfield (originally "Western"), 'no-drill' Krag sights, were patented and first manufactured in the early 1930s.

At that time, Krag rifles were being sold through the DCM to NRA members for $1.50.
This encouraged the altering of awkward infantry rifles into handier inexpensive hunting 'carbines'.

The 'no drill' receiver sights and various aftermarket 'banded' front-sights were in demand by gunsmiths and home craftsmen as low cost/easily installed hunting sight solutions.

Although frowned on now by military rifle collectors, "Sporterizing Military Rifles" was once a practical and fun activity by hunters and hobbyists.
Commercial sporting arms were prohibitively expensive, while surplus military arms were plentiful and cheap.

'No Drill' options like the Pacific, Redfield, and Leroy Rice sights fortunately were reversible and did no permanent damage or changes to restorable Krags.

Many popular sights required drilling & tapping and have left permanent blemishes on Krag receivers. (See Marble's sight photo).

[Another-Steve]

I’m gonna be 59 and I can remember going into the “army-navy” surplus store with my dad. They had walls full of sporterized Krags and mausers, tons of Savage 99’s in different chamberings, lots of pump shotguns and Winchester lever guns. I get both sides of it, take an inexpensive surplus rifle and turn it into a decent hunting rifle….. cheap and plentiful at the time so no thought to preserve & collect them. Times have really changed. Used to be you could go anywhere in SW Pa and find ammo for 30-06, 300 Savage, 30-40 Krag, 8mm mauser, 30-30 win, 35 Remington…..

[Another-Steve]

So…. I loaded some powder coated boolits that a friend gave me. Lee C309-170-F that measured .311 after coating. 26gr Hercules Re7, ww primer. Added them to the 10 powder coated 155gr RNFP loaded over 16gr 2600. Plan was for a full range day Sunday. Took the E-target, knight D.I.S.C., Lyman Great Plains rock lock, 30-40 Krag, muzzleloader range box, and 300savage ammo.

Note the absence of the TC 300savage pistol and the 30-40krag ammo!?!?! I would up helping one shooter adjust the tuner on his F-class rifle and another shooter zero in his 7PRC out to 500 for an elk hunt. In between, I launched about 40 big heavy chunks of lead from the knight inline. (384gr great plains slug over 85gr 777) as well as a doze
N or so 7PRC from a 7# rifle with a pencil barrel. Mongo’s shoulder is still stiff and sore.

New plan is to take the Krag out this Sunday. Details to follow.

[Another-Steve]

So I finally got the old girl out to the range. My eyes and those sights SUCK ROCKS! Anyway, had to use 303Brit brass. Load was 26.5gr Hercules Re7 under a 170gr powder coated rnfp cast bullet. Shot really soft and barely fire formed the cases. At 100 yards I had to use the 300 yard sight setting. All together, it didn’t do too bad considering I am blaming myself and the sights for vertical.