Getting it dirt cheap means you get to have fun with it on a budget. Back in the day when they were almost given away, many were converted to something that the seller or buyer thought would be more usable. It would be a lot easier to customize to fit your own needs or tastes instead of going after expensive and rare parts for a restoration.
I keep watching threads open up with a newly purchased rifle or carbine hoping they got one new as issued condition and worth a gazillion dollars. It may happen one day, I will keep watching. In the mean time Krag sporters are fun and useful hunting rifles.