'CessnaDriver' - Welcome to the KCA Forum.

You seem to have a pretty good handle on your cut-down model 1898 Krag. The Pancho Villa story sounds like total 'blarney'.

Your Krag, #2591XX, was originally assembled around March or April 1900. It was altered (maybe a couple times) for Hunting. The Stock is a drastically re-shaped military stock. The Butt pad is from the 1950s or 60s. The front-sight looks 1950s.

The metal has been poorly 'blued', hence the bronze coloring on some of the parts. Shooting will demonstrate whether re-crowning the muzzle is in order. You really don't want to invest more money into this Krag. Enjoy and use as is.

The rear 'no-drill' receiver-sight is a Redfield No. 102K. Yours may be an earlier one marked "Western". Mr. Redfield had to drop the 'Western' name around 1930, due to a threatened lawsuit. A 'peep' aperture can be screwed into your eye piece for finer sighting.

Look for a box or two of Remington .30-40 Hunting ammo with 180 grain soft point projectiles. It is hard to find these days and costs $35 to $40 for a 20 round box. Most Krags love this ammo. Save your Brass for future reloading.

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