Krag Collectors Association Forum Archive

Krag Collectors Association Forum Archive
General >> Older threads >> New Krag owner here looking for advice! http://www.kragcollectorsassociation.org/cgi-bin/yabb2/YaBB.pl?num=1364609799 Message started by Gunnarson on Mar 30^th, 2013 at 2:16am

Title: New Krag owner here looking for advice!
Post by Gunnarson on Mar 30^th, 2013 at 2:16am

First off hello to everyone, and thanks for all the info here! I have been lurking for a week or so now, since a fellow offered me a Krag in trade. I decided to take it so I figured I would go ahead and register.

Initially I was under the impression that the gun had been sporterized in the usual fashion but after seeing it in person I realised it was mostly original. As a result I would like to return it to its original state as much as is possible.

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1902 sight?
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Title: Re: New Krag owner here looking for advice!
Post by Gunnarson on Mar 30^th, 2013 at 2:28am

A couple of pics with the original stock:

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I would like to find another stock like the one in the first post for regular use but I am also hunting an original style stock. Unfortunately I broke the stock in the first post earlier today, right after I got it all fitted and finished :'(

I'm not sure what route to take as far refinishing goes. It needs the blade in the front sight tightened, a trigger guard, ejector, barrel bands and could use a reblue. Would doing all this destroy the value as a collectable gun or is it already pretty much no good as a collectable?

S/N 57942 if anyone is interested or if they have any interesting info about the gun. I believe this puts build date somewhere around mid 1897.

Title: Re: New Krag owner here looking for advice!
Post by butlersrangers on Mar 30^th, 2013 at 3:21am

Gunnarson: Don't 're-blue'! Most of the Krag action parts have case hardened colors; not blue. The metal parts you need will cost a total of $100 to $140. You might contact one of the gentlemen listed in classifieds and see if you can work out a package deal. An issue stock and hand-guard will be quite expensive. You might look into splicing a for-end onto the cut down stock you have. It is real easy to put more money into a restoration than the end result is worth. Bore condition is of prime importance.

Title: Re: New Krag owner here looking for advice!
Post by Gunnarson on Mar 30^th, 2013 at 5:34am

Hmm, is there anything I can do to improve the appearance of the receiver?
I already have more into than its probably worth, I'm more interested in a gun I like than resale value. I dropped Dan a line with a list of parts earlier today, hopefully I will hear from him soon. I'm not sure about splicing a stock, never tried it before. Might have to look that up. Boyd's shows an original style 1896 rifle stock for $144 Seems like a very affordable option.