Stretch, this would be the same rifle from Texas I bet. Although the gentleman said he had purchased a large group of Krags from a collection. The bore may be the best part of the deal. Having accumulated some of the needed parts, it seemed a fun project. I was not prepared to go into the thousand dollar range for a complete specimen that I want to be a shooter.  But I haven't gotten very far beyond mock-up and tear down. Using oak furniture 1/2 inch peg and treaded brass rods. There seems to be differing opinions on the type of epoxy to use and Larry says just glue it.  I plan to use DEVCON.  I am cutting the original remnant under the band off to butt it up as you said.  Only one cut that way.  Hope to get some time this weekend to make some headway.