DocCasualty:  Where are you at in Northern Michigan?  There are several of us on the forum, who reside in the south of Michigan.  I live near Fenton.  Your Krag's hand-guard is for the 1901 rear sight.  The sight ladder you have is for a 1903 Springfield, not a Krag.  Word of caution: when you take your hand-guard off your barrel, slide it forward off the barrel.  Turn it 180 degree so the clips are up and clear the front sight base.  If you pull it off and snap it on the barrel, it is likely to crack!  I believe your beautiful stock is from one of the Italian Walnut blanks Springfield purchased in 1899-1900, when they were short on stock wood.  Your present stock was not the first one on your rifle.  The "A.L." initials appear on many 1898 Krag stocks and are probably the initials of a stock workman/sub inspector. The #60C or #600 is probably a rack number.  That is a mighty nice Krag that Buba got to!  You should be able to find a 1901 sight and screws on ebay or gunbroker.  Better yet, contact one of the forum members in 'Classifieds' (on the home page), who sell parts.  A 1901 sight with its peculiar screws can be found for around $75 to $90.  They also show up at gun shows.  S&S Firearms, Glendale, N.Y. has some Krag Parts, screws and a reproduction Front Sight Base.  Your Krag is so nice, it is worthy of a careful & skillful restoration.