I am new to Krags and could use any advise that anyone can give me.  I picked up my first Krag a Springfield 1898 (serial # 119154).  I was in rough shape when I first picked it up and I have been working on cleaning it up.  The stock has been poorly sporterized and it is pretty beat up.  I would love to shoot the gun and was wondering if anyone could tell anything about mine and give me any advise. 

'ABK' - Welcome to the KCA Forum.

#119154 is in model 1898 carbine serial number range. What length is your barrel?

Some close clear pictures, especially showing front sight/muzzle area and rear sight, will get better information and advice.

Thank you for the reply.  The barrel is 22 inches long.  I tried to post the pictures that I had and it keep telling me the files were too large.  I will attempt to take new pictures and post them soon.

ABK - Maximum attachment size on KCA posts is 768 KB.

On my computer pictures on my hard drive can be opened in 'Microsoft Office 2010' and 'compressed'. This works for me and I'm pretty computer incompetent.

Here is my Krag.

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Howdy... and welcome to the forum, and to the wonder world of Krags!

Pictures appear too small for me to really see well... but the one of the muzzle looks like an odd muzzle crown.  Can you take one showing the front sight post joint to the barrel? 

'ABK' - Model 1898 Krag, #119154, shows up in Springfield Research Services documentation. It was a model 1898 Rifle, issued in 1899 to Co."A", 7th U.S. Volunteer Infantry.

Your Krag was built around August, 1898. (A mixture of rifles and carbines appear near that serial number).

Regrettably, your Rifle's 30 inch barrel has been cut-down to 22 inches. The barrel was re-crowned and it appears the front sight base was remounted. The 1896 type rear-sight is the Rifle version. It is cool that your Krag Rifle is documented in SRS Data. Most Krags are not.

The changes to your Krag were not done by the Armory, but, were all done when it was 'sportered' for Hunting. Its collectability is gone, but, it is still useful and probably a fun shooter, if the bore is good.

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That would explain why the muzzle looked so wrong to me.  I had suspected it was cut down, which is why I wanted to see the sight post to barrel joint.  The hit on SRS is pretty special though. 

Shoot 'er and enjoy 'er!

Thank you for the information.  I am excited that there is actually information on my Krag.  I have heard of how hard it is to track down any information on most Krags.  There are markings on the front of the magazine that I had been wondering about but they now make sense that they were probably from when it went it was serviced by Springfield.  Seeing that there is information on my Krag and we now know what it originally was thanks to your help do you think it is worth restoring it to what is was originally?

I have seen the more experienced on this site say that it is not economically feasible to restore one like yours. Enjoy it as is, if it shoots well.  If it does not shoot well the cost of making a nice shooter will never be recovered if you want to sell it in the future. If you never sell guns and would not mind sinking more money than it is worth for you personal pleasure, that could get a different answer especially if you can do a lot of the work yourself.
I wish that I had mine finished 13 years ago when we first bought the ranch. We killed over 300 pigs in the first five or six years and we would have gotten to the rarely seen stage we are at now a lot faster if my sporter had been there then.
The legendary smoothness of the Krag action means reliable follow up shots. If you do not mind dealing with non magnum velocities a Krag sporter has a lot to be said for it.

I would recommend you enjoy this 'sportered' Krag as it is. Save your money and buy a nice condition, as issued, Rifle or Carbine, if you find you want an original. This will prove more cost effective.

Invest $20 in Joe Poyer's book, "The American Krag Rifle and Carbine". It will answer a lot of your questions and increase your enjoyment of your Krag.

If the bug really bites you, Franklin Mallory's, "The Krag Rifle Story", 2nd edition and Brophy's, "The Krag Rifle", are nice references.

Krags can be a bit of a jungle with a lot of 'cheats' or ill informed sellers. Arm yourself with knowledge. The Guys on this Forum are great!

butlersrangers wrote on Apr 18^th, 2016 at 6:45am:

ABK - Maximum attachment size on KCA posts is 768 KB. On my computer pictures on my hard drive can be opened in 'Microsoft Office 2010' and 'compressed'. This works for me and I'm pretty computer incompetent.

I'm not fond of how pictures come out when attached here.
Steve

The pictures ABK posted left much to be desired (14KB!!!).

Lots of KCA members do a fine job with their posted photos - IMHO.

I have done a little work to restore my Krag.  This is where it is at now. 

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'ABK' - It looks like you are doing fine with your Krag. (Just work on your photography! - LOL).

We would all like to hear how you went about your restoration!

After you gave me the information from the Springfield Research Services documentation on my Krag I was able to use Poyer's book to research what parts would have been originally on my rifle.  Then once I knew what parts I needed and which style I was able to track them all down.  I found the correct stock.  I added the cut off and front band.  I then found a barrel and one of my friends switched the barrels out for me.  I have fired it and it shoots great.  Next I am going to start looking for the proper accessories.  It has been a fun project so far and I am sure it is going to bring me years of enjoyment. 

'ABK' - Well Done, You!

'Movieman630' on ebay usually has the best price for the Krag 3-piece cleaning rod and oiler, (for the butt-trap). His stuff is legit.

("Movieman" is listed in the KCA Classifieds as "Grandpa's Gun Parts". You can view lots of offerings and prices, but, the site is under construction and will not be active until 2017).

FWIW, I think Movieman (AKA Grandpa's gun parts) is Joe DeChristopher's grandson.  He inherited Joe's business and is continuing the tradition of honesty and integrity! 

Great job on the restoration!  Going to turn some heads at Camp Perry