I am the proud new custodian of an 1898 Krag I just received from the CMP. It is in what I consider to be very good condition for a rfile that is about 110 yrs old. She'll be cleaned, maintained, and shot on a regular basis, then someday, be passed along to one of my 3 sons for further enjoyment.

But right now, I need to learn about the Krag. Can anyone point me to a reference book or website where I can learn to properly detail strip a Krag? I just don't want to make a rookie mistake and bugger something up.

Thanks!

Steve

Now, some pics...

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The FedEx shipping gorillas strike again.

Footsoldier:  I hope your 1898 Krag has a decent bore.  I am sorry the stock was broke (in shipping?).  I would go after Fedex and have them pay for an expert stock repair!  I was amazed, looking at your pictures, what a nice and apparently correct 1901 Cartouched rifle you received from the CMP.  Your Stock by the way appears to be one of the 33,000 Italian Walnut Stocks that Springfield purchased in 1899 from the Windmuller & Roelker Firm (NYC).  I'm sure the CMP would try to make good on the damaged rifle you received, but it is unlikely you would get another as nice.  Your serial # does not show up clearly in your photo.  If we could know the number, you might get a lot more information.  The Joe Poyer book, "The American Krag Rifle and Carbine" is a good and inexpensive ($20) start in learning about Krags.  The old NRA Assembly Handbook article by E. J. Hoffschmidt is a good guide for field-stripping a Krag.  (If you contact me with an address, I'll mail you a copy).

butlersrangers,
The CMP has said they'll replace the stock. Unfortunately, I am affraid that they won't have much to choose from in selecting a replacement. I wonder if I'd be better off trying to have this one repaired?

The serial number is 322245 and the bore is little frosted, but I think it will clean up nicely. A friend hand-selected this one from the North store.

FootSoldier:  Your CMP Krag was probably built in May of 1901.  If Fedex will help pay for expert repair, I would have it repaired.  There is no telling what a replacement stock would look like (painted white, cut down?).  That 1901 'Cartouched' stock has probably been on your Krag since 1901!  The grain in your stock and hand-guard appear to be Italian Walnut (and not the usual Black Walnut).  I would check with an expert wood worker on the feasibility of a good repair.

I had a stock made of European walnut break in just that way.  It was repaired so expertly that even I had a difficult time locating the break.  If it were my stock, I would opt for the repair.

reincarnated wrote on Jul 13^th, 2012 at 8:42pm:

I had a stock made of European walnut break in just that way.  It was repaired so expertly that even I had a difficult time locating the break.  If it were my stock, I would opt for the repair.

If you don't mind my asking, who did the work? I am trying to find somebody I can talk to.

Thanks!

Send me a message. I know a miracle worker in wood.

I might be off my rocker here... but to me, something looks odd about that serial number.  The rest of the receiver markings are clear in the picture, but the serial is not...  Also, the alignment of the serial number is not aligned with the remainder of the stampings (i.e. slightly lower than "Model 1898.  Springfield Armory").  I have never seen a Krag where the alignment and clarity of the stampings was inconsistent... do they exist?  It just looks strange to me, but I'm certainly no expert... 

The bottom of the stampings of the serial number is not discolored like the rest of the stampings. It looks newer. But I'm not an expert, either.

Turned out good, the CMP came through bigtime and I am one happy camper!

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And she shoots pretty good to boot!
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do you still have the broken stock or did CMP make you return it?

They let me keep the broken stock too.

I would like to know what you plan to do with your broken stock, I might be interested in it if you are looking to get ride of it.

Right now, planning on keeping it. Talking with a couple people about repairing it, but not making any quick decision on that right now. Sorry...

ok thanks if you do want to get rid of it let me know would like to get one for a rifle I am starting to restore.

FootSoldier:  I'm glad to see that the folks at the CMP treated you most decently.  Now that's a Win-Win, after a shipping catastrophe!  You have two nice looking stocks with great cartouches and I guess your bore cleaned up pretty well too.  Nice Shooting!

Thanks butlersrangers. That target was the best group from my load work up and I was pretty surprised by the result. I loaded more and I'll try the combo at 100 and 200 next week. I'd really like to shoot the Krag in Vintage Rifle matches. I also want to explore shooting cast lead a little.

The CMP definitely made things right. I'm a big CMP fan!

Back to the range today. 100yds off a bench, 35.0 grs IMR4895 under Hornady 180gr RN = Happy Krag shooter!

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FS:

Nice! 

Three shots isn't a "group", but that's certainly encouraging.  Now center up and shoot ten to see if they will all stay in the ten-ring.  Looks like there's a good chance ...

Resp'y,
Bob S.

You are right Bob, I had 6 rds of this combo loaded and 6 175 SMKs to try. I am going to load up 25 of the Hornady load and see what she'll do, but I am encouraged.