Hey guys, just got my first Krag yesterday from my Grandfather. I've only ever seen two, so i don't know much about it but I'm sure I can find out here  :)

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well we know it is a model 1898 the serial number does help though, it is a sport stock on it and seem to have a after market site on the from and some form of rear peep site. The rear site does appear to be the one for the Krag but you did not show a good picture of it. and are the two screw hole on the top of the barrel behine the barrel band? and what is the length of the barrel and of the stock.

201573 and the rest I'll put up tomorrow

your rifle was built in 1899 in April or May of that year

Is there anywhere to get is restored?

James:  Leave it and shoot it as is.  It is a nice old sporterized Krag and possibly a family heirloom.  Restoration would be a waste of effort, a waste of money, and come-up short.  Enjoy it as it is and save money to buy an as issued Krag if you want one.  My 2-Cents

James:  Are you a Michigander -- Genesee County?  Welcome to Krags and the Forum!  Check out the photo tab on the KCA Website main page.

I dont know of any place that restores Krags, it would cost a lot, you would have to get all of the needed parts then find a good gunsmit to restore it and that would be the most cost for the project, like the other person stated, leave as is and enjoy it. With what it would cost you could by a very nice rifle in the same model as the one you have now, or in another one that you may want to get.

I agree...  It's a beautiful sporter... obviously well cared for.  Enjoy shooting it as is!  If you want a correct rifle, there are plenty out there to be found for reasonable prices!

James:  The Krag ('Sporterized') was an incredibly popular and inexpensive Deer Rifle all over the U.S. from the 1920s to the 1950s.  During the Great Depression, a surplus Krag could be obtained for a few Dollars.  The Krag introduced many Americans to the Bolt Action Rifle, at a time when Lever-Guns were King.  For hunting, it was most practical to shorten an Infantry length Rifle to Carbine dimensions.  Very few Krag sporters are practical candidates for a Restoration.  Your Sporter appears to have an interesting commercial 'Peep' sight.  It would be interesting to see a picture of this sight.  Many of these After-market sights are collectible and worth $75 to $150.  The metal finish in your photos looks nice.  Try cleaning off surface rust with #0000 steel wool saturated with Hoppe's #9 Solvent.  Don't re-finish your metal.  Save the original finish.  The bolt is suppose to be unfinished ('in the white').  Just wipe down your wood with Linseed Oil.  'Pledge' Furniture Polish seems benign to gunstocks.  Sporter conversions are a legitimate part of the Krag Story.

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Ok so I have pictures to put up of the sight but I need to not be on my iPhone. Yes the screw holes are behind the band, not sure if you could tell but they are filled in. How would I measure the stock and barrel? Is there any place I can find a way to take it apart correctly to clean it?

James,

To measure the barrel, close the bolt and drop a cleaning rod down the muzzle until it rests against the bolt face.  Then, just mark the cleaning rod at the muzzle and measure it.  Most cutdowns are 22 inches, although some are 24 inches, and I have heard of a couple cut to 20 inches too.  My sporter is 24 inches!

As for cleaning, I would remove the bolt, and just run some patches down the bore!

Paul

yes there is a way to correctly take it down to clean it. I can email you the data you need but you will have to emaill your data and I can send it to you will take me a little while to get it together, unless you wish to order the book for the Krag collector you can get it for around 20 dollors on line. I can be reached at wayne.dean@te.com

As far as cleaning goes...  unless you have some serious problems or major crud building up in the magazine gate, I would avoid disassembly beyond removing the stock, bolt, side plate, and disassembling the bolt.  I have been shooting my Krags for a few decades, and have never disassembled beyond removing and disassembling the bolt and scrubbing the bore... and I've never had a problem!  IMHO, it's just not necessary!

Paul

I did finally find out how to get the bolt off after browsing the net for a bit.

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James:  Your Krag 'Sporter' bears a Lyman No.34 receiver sight.  These are valued at over $150.  This model sight was last cataloged in 1943.  I believe this sight required that a couple of holes be drilled in the Krag receiver.  (All the more reason to enjoy your Krag as a Sporting Rifle and not bother considering restoration).

If it were my family heirloom, I would do the following:

1) Repair the barrel finish where the rear sight was removed.
2) Buy a nice old leather sling that has complimentary wear.
3) Write down its history and tuck it away in the trap door.
4) Display it and, if a gunsmith says it's ok, take it to the range every once in a while.
5) If the fondness grows, find yourself another Krag in the original configuration to keep it company.

Good luck with your project!