Hi, My name is Arthur Michaud and I am new to Krag Collectors Association. I am restoring a Model 1898 Krag Carbine,fairly low serial number in the 15-00-00 range that I bought in a butchered stock. The action is in great shape, with 22 inch barrel (great rifling), dovetailed front sight brazed on the barrel, muzzle measures .650 dia.  with a Model 1896 rifle sight, no C or wind-age, marked  for 1800 yds. I fabricated a new stock and hand guard in the Model 1896 Carbine short stock saddle ring configuration. I researched that a few Model 1898 rifles were re-manufactured in 96 short stock configuration and most re-manufactured in 99 long stock. I choose the Model 96 because of the 15-00-00 serial number range shortly after the few 50000 manufactured between 120000 & 130000 range. I need some constructive help on my chose?   

Welcome!

Not sure what you are talking about, especially your very last sentence - the lowest Model 1898 number would be about 109,000. No serial numbers have dashes in them, and there is no problem with quoting exact serial numbers, unless you think the gun was stolen - the gov't. doesn't care about them any more.

Your research is faulty. No rifles were "remanufactured" into short OR long carbine stocks. A small (5,000) run of Model 1898 carbines, in the 117-135,000, range were made new with short (30") stocks. Nearly all were soon put into long (32") stocks, thus making them identical to Model 1899 carbines, the most frequently seen version.

Hope that helps.