I have a sporterized 1896 model serial number 64489.  The rifle has not been fired more than a few times in 40+ years, but has been well cared for.  The bore is excellent and there is no rust on the rifle.  The customization is very nicely done with hand checkering and a nice redfield peep sight.  Granddad's friends name is engraved on the magazine cover. The  bluing is pretty good but their are some thin spots on the barrel near the receiver and on the trigger guard (typical of handling)

see photos here:
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I might be interested in selling this rifle and would be interested in knowing if anyone here is interested and if anyone would be willing to provide an honest estimate as to value.  Thank you.

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The rear of the receiver has been modified... which would greatly affect value.  Why would someone have cut the receiver like that???

lcoggins:  That is a handsome sporter you have.  If it was your Grandfather's, it should be priceless to you.  To everyone else, it is a $300 to $400 cut down Krag.  Price depends on quality of workmanship and finish.  There is not a big demand these days for Krag 'Hunting Rifles'.  They are obsolete to most hunters and collectors want original military Krags.  I don't see any cuts or alteration to the Receiver except the cut-off was removed for the 'no-drill' Redfield peep sight.

I always recommend against selling family guns, unless the party is in dire financial straits. Did you know your grandfather? Both of mine passed away before I was born. Did you ever go shooting/hunting with him? When such an item is gone, it is gone.

You have a very nicely-done sporter, almost in the classic style - a definite cut above the all-too-frequent Bubba-job. Yet, as has been pointed out, such arms do not fetch a lot these days, and, unless you basically give it away, you are not even assured of a quick sale.

In other words, in financial terms, it is not really a liquid asset.

Thanks alot for the information.  The heirloom aspect is not lost on me so I appreciate that perspective.

PM sent

butlersrangers wrote on Feb 17^th, 2013 at 4:42am:

I don't see any cuts or alteration to the Receiver except the cut-off was removed for the 'no-drill' Redfield peep sight.

I just looked at it again... and I don't know what I was thinking.  Just looked odd to me at first, but I must have had the wrong glasses on, LOL!

I also agree with Dick and Butlersrangers...  If it's your grandfathers, you should keep it and eventually pass it down to your children too.

That is a dandy. Obviously built by someone who knew what they were doing. I honestly like well done sporters such as this one as much as original examples. If I weren't building a similar rifle I would be interested in acquiring it.

If I owned it and it were my grand dad's, especially if it were he who commissioned the work on it, I would make sure it stayed in the family. On the other hand if there isn't anyone coming along behind me who has a sliver of interest in such things, that might effect my decision whether to cut it loose at some point. It's a situation I find myself in...

Hi, Could I see a picture of the buttplate?