Just received a hand guard to replace the 1896 hand guard on a 1896 rifle so I can install a 1902 sight with windage.
The barrel clips seem pretty stout.  Any guidance on removing the 1896  guard and installing the new guard would be welcome (before I break something)

ebeeby:  You are wise to ask first!  1.  Remove Your Krag's barrel and action from the stock (Leaving the hand-guard in place).  You may have to remove your front sight blade to remove the front barrel- band/bayonet lug.  Remove sight blade by driving small pin left to right.  2.  Remove rear sight from barreled action.  Pull hand-guard slightly forward to clear receiver and rotate 180 degrees on barrel.  Pull hand-guard forward and off the barrel.  (place dowel rod or coins inside spring clips to prevent spring pressure from cracking wood of stored hand-guard).  3.  Slide replacement hand-guard, up-side-down, onto barrel to clear front sight base.  Slide hand-guard almost into position and rotate.  Slide into final position and align barrel sight holes.  Attach rear sight.  Reassemble the rest of the rifle.  (Some lubricant on the barrel may avoid spring clips scratching the barrel).  p.s.  If your 1896 Krag is a nice looking specimen, I would be reluctant to switch sights and hand-guards.  I would just use 'Kentucky Windage' - IMHO.   

I am glad I read this post! I am going to print out the instructions for future refrence myself.

Thanks to ebeeby for asking and thank you to butlersrangers for an indepth amount of great information I have been picking up on this forum.

Semper Fi, Rob