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Message started by Craig R on Nov 3rd, 2011 at 4:02pm

Title: Info on a 1898 Krag
Post by Craig R on Nov 3rd, 2011 at 4:02pm
I recently brought home my grandfathers 1898 Krag from my father's home. I used this gun for Elk hunting in Montana as a boy. I need information on how best to disassemble, clean and inspect it to make sure it is still suitable to shoot. Any information about this gun would be welcome. The serial number is 98829. Pictures are attached. There is a mounting hole (?) about 1 1/2 inch in front of the rear sight. Is the rear sight original? I will add a number of photos. Thanks

Title: Re: Info on a 1898 Krag
Post by Craig R on Nov 3rd, 2011 at 4:17pm
All the pics I have taken are over the 250kb size allowed. Any ideas how I can get around it?

Title: Re: Info on a 1898 Krag
Post by Craig R on Nov 3rd, 2011 at 4:23pm
1st pic of my gun
1898_Krag_008.jpg ( 227 KB | 0 Downloads )

Title: Re: Info on a 1898 Krag
Post by Craig R on Nov 3rd, 2011 at 4:28pm
Serial number shot
3040_Krag_008.jpg ( 207 KB | 0 Downloads )

Title: Re: Info on a 1898 Krag
Post by Craig R on Nov 3rd, 2011 at 4:31pm
Is this the standard original rear sight?
3040_Krag_006.jpg ( 194 KB | 0 Downloads )

Title: Re: Info on a 1898 Krag
Post by Craig R on Nov 3rd, 2011 at 4:34pm
This medalion is on the bottom of the stock, what is it's significance?
3040_Krag_009.jpg ( 207 KB | 0 Downloads )

Title: Re: Info on a 1898 Krag
Post by Craig R on Nov 3rd, 2011 at 4:37pm
Is this hole in front of the rear sight standard or is this a mounting hole added at a later date? Thanks for any help you can give me. Sorry about the poor picture quality.
3040_Krag_005.jpg ( 190 KB | 0 Downloads )

Title: Re: Info on a 1898 Krag
Post by tanker on Nov 3rd, 2011 at 5:02pm
The mounting hole appears to be an original rear sight mounting hole, it is the current sight that has been added.

Title: Re: Info on a 1898 Krag
Post by butlersrangers on Nov 3rd, 2011 at 5:07pm
Craig R.:  Your Grandfather's Krag, Serial #98829, probably started life as a U.S. Army Infantry Rifle built in June 1898 (at Springfield Armory, Mass.).  The Stock has been shortened in the forearm area to make it into a handier length for hunting.  It appears the barrel band has been ground to remove the sling swivel and now has an open 'slit' and uses friction to hold it in place.  Your rear sight is a commercial sporting sight made by "King".  Your barrel has been altered by being 'dovetailed' to hold the King sight.  The original sight would have been the 1896 model Krag sight and held on by two screws.  The tapped holes for these screws may still be present on your barrel.  The "medalion" is filling the wood opening for the rear sling swivel and probably bears the name of a previous owner (G.E.Wait).  You have a nice looking sporterized Krag with a family connection.  It would be interesting to know the barrel length and see a picture of the front sight.  Chuck

Title: Re: Info on a 1898 Krag
Post by butlersrangers on Nov 3rd, 2011 at 5:26pm
Craig R.:  You can use the 'search' feature of this site to look at earlier posts that describe "How to remove the Krag bolt".  Also, click on "Visit the KCA Website today!", that appears periodically above, to see all kinds of history and pictures.  If you plan to hunt with your Krag, you might want to pick up a rear sling swivel and a rear barrel-band and swivel.  You can put these parts on without making any permanent alterations to your Grandfather's Krag (commonly available at gunshows, eBay, and GunBroker).  Chuck

Title: Re: Info on a 1898 Krag
Post by Craig R on Nov 4th, 2011 at 2:25am
Good info. Thanks. Too bad it wasn't left in its original state. I don't hunt much anymore, if I did I have a newer lighter rifle to use. I just need to clean this one up and occasionally shoot it for old times sake (and cause it is always fun to shoot different guns).

Title: Re: Info on a 1898 Krag
Post by butlersrangers on Nov 4th, 2011 at 4:24am
Craig R:  Shooting a nice Krag is always sweet.  Shooting "Grampa's Krag" is double fudge!  You have a nice Krag;  enjoy it.  Chuck

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