Krag Collectors Association Forum Archive

Krag Collectors Association Forum Archive
Firearms >> Sporterized and unofficial modified Krags >> question about model 1898 http://www.kragcollectorsassociation.org/cgi-bin/yabb2/YaBB.pl?num=1421086707 Message started by jeeppilot on Jan 12^th, 2015 at 6:18pm

Title: question about model 1898
Post by jeeppilot on Jan 12^th, 2015 at 6:18pm

I have a question, I've been trying to learn as much as I can about a springfield model 1898, Ive done some reading and it seems to be "sporterized" but It is still a beautiful rifle. One thing I can't seem to figure out is the side door on mine opens swinging forward rather than down as in the other ones I've seen online. I did find (i think) a denmark version that had the door swing forward, but that wouldn't be a springfield correct? the serial # is 401### so it should be 1903. Any help on the side door would be great. I'll get some pix and load them tomorrow.
Blessings. James

Title: Re: question about model 1898
Post by Dick Hosmer on Jan 12^th, 2015 at 6:28pm

Evidently, the magazine cover was modified as part of the "sporterizing" process. Some of the old-time gunsmiths did this - it reduces capacity to 3 or 4 but gets rid of the boxy projection. All US Krags had the "down" motion originally. There were many ways of making the alteration - pics should prove interesting.

Title: Re: question about model 1898
Post by jeeppilot on Jan 12^th, 2015 at 6:46pm

thank you for your reply, that helps. I'll get some pics up soon. Really is a good looking rifle, can't believe its from 1903.
james

Title: Re: question about model 1898
Post by jeeppilot on Jan 13^th, 2015 at 4:16pm

posted a few pics....:)
james

gun1.jpeg ( 61 KB | 10 Downloads )

gun2.jpeg ( 47 KB | 4 Downloads )

gun3.jpeg ( 30 KB | 0 Downloads )

gun4.jpeg ( 38 KB | 2 Downloads )

gun5.jpeg ( 30 KB | 0 Downloads )

Title: Re: question about model 1898
Post by jeeppilot on Jan 13^th, 2015 at 4:17pm

and a few more

gun6.jpeg ( 42 KB | 0 Downloads )

gun7.jpeg ( 49 KB | 0 Downloads )

Title: Re: question about model 1898
Post by butlersrangers on Jan 13^th, 2015 at 5:19pm

'Jeeppilot': You have a nicely done sport/hunting conversion of a U.S. Model 1898 Infantry rifle. Back in the 1920s and 1930s they liked to make 'sporterized' military rifles thin, hence the altered magazine gate, Dick Hosmer has described.
Your banded-ramp front sight appears to be a Lyman. Your rear 'peep' sight appears to be a Redfield #102-K ('no drill') receiver sight.
You have a nice hunting rig. Not collectable to most Krag fanciers but fun to use!

Krag_no-drill_sights_005.JPG ( 149 KB | 1 Download )