hello all, I am new to the krag and I find the research interesting, I have an old krag but don't know if it is correct
the serial #is 278480, on the receiver is marked 1898, with the cartouche on the stock of 1900 very faint.
it has I believe a 1901 sight marked with C's, the barrel is 22"
with the front sight that it looks dovetailed. Any help out there if it is a real carbine?

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Howdy.  Welcome to the forum and to the wonderful world of Krags!

The serial number is far beyond the known range of 1898 Carbines.  Not to scare you... but the 1898 carbine was often faked to increase the value of a Krag.

Is it possible that the marking says 1899? (Sometimes, numbers can be struck odd so as to look like a different number).  A good clear picture of the left side of the receiver showing the markings, rear sight, front sight post mounting, and muzzle will tell much.  An overall picture of each side would also help.

How about a few shots of the front sight, either in the open air, or on a white spot? That s/n could be an 1899 Carbine - but absolutely NOT an 1898.

See attached pictures

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when I look through the magnifying glass I can make out on the stock 1900

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Well, that's definitely "1898", so that means the arm is NOT a "real, original" Model 1898 Carbine. High s/n is in the 139K range, though some people are more generous at 150K, which I do NOT believe is correct. By your number thay had already used the Model 1899 marking for carbine receivers for quite some time.

You MAY have an original carbine barrel, but it seems like something is not quite right - profile-wise - at the tip of the stock? Is there a splice under the band?

I will check when I get back tonight.
thanks

looks like 1 piece

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hello,  I am new to this forum and also new to Krags.  I just bought a Model 1898 and it has a 22" barrel with a front sight that looks exactly like yours.  I know that mine was sporterized and I assume the barrel was cut down to 22".  I purchased a front barrel band with bayonet lug to try to restore it as close to original as possible and the diameter of the barrel is greater than the barrel band which confirms that the barrel was cut down because it makes sense that with the taper of the barrel, it would be a greater diameter 8" farther back from the muzzle.
Could you measure the diameter of your barrel at the muzzle and compare to what the diameter of a 30" barrel is at the muzzle.  This might confirm that you have a cut down rifle barrel , not a carbine barrel.
Ron

That won't work. Unlike some other arms which do have different tapers, the Krag carbine barrel IS (dimensionally) the rear 22" of the 30" rifle barrel, so the muzzle will always be thicker, whether legit OR whacked.

is it possible I have an 1899 but was not overstruck.
the serial number has it made in 1900, the stock cartouche is 1900.
would someone go to that much trouble, to buy a carbine stock, and barrel with all the hardware, and put on a carbine rear sight

As I stated before... 1898 Carbines HAVE been faked, and some very convincingly.  It's possible that you have a carbine barrel installed on a rifle receiver.  Or it's possible that someone did a good job of reattaching the sight post, although you can usually tell.  My guess would be that someone replaced the rifle barrel and stock with a carbine barrel and stock.  Mr. Hosmer would be the real expert here... and you can take his advice to the bank!

Is the sight a Carbine sight?  Look at the picture page.  There are examples of every type of Krag sight.  1901 Rifle sights are definitely different, and fakes can be easy to spot.