Krag Collectors Association Forum Archive
Firearms >> U.S. Military Krags >> Yet Another SRS and Carbine Check
http://www.kragcollectorsassociation.org/cgi-bin/yabb2/YaBB.pl?num=1503155165

Message started by Local Boy on Aug 19th, 2017 at 3:06pm

Title: Yet Another SRS and Carbine Check
Post by Local Boy on Aug 19th, 2017 at 3:06pm
1. Please perform an SRS check on a Model 1899 S/N 349616 .

2. Purchased this Model 1899 Springfield Krag at a local antiques store.  Was originally holding out for a descent affordable rifle but the price on this carbine was too good to pass up.

3. IMHO, I believe this firearm to be a legit Model 1899 carbine and  I would appreciate any opinions or comments.

Thank You
Krag_Carbin_034ss.jpg ( 167 KB | 4 Downloads )
Krag_Carbin_032ss.jpg ( 107 KB | 1 Download )
Krag_Carbin_012ss.jpg ( 115 KB | 3 Downloads )
Krag_Carbin_017ss.jpg ( 66 KB | 0 Downloads )
Krag_Carbin_019ss.jpg ( 92 KB | 1 Download )

Title: Re: Yet Another SRS and Carbine Check
Post by Local Boy on Aug 19th, 2017 at 3:21pm
More Photos
Krag_Carbin_014ss.jpg ( 124 KB | 0 Downloads )
Krag_Carbin_021ss.jpg ( 109 KB | 0 Downloads )
Krag_Carbin_015ss.jpg ( 121 KB | 0 Downloads )
Krag_Carbin_023ss.jpg ( 135 KB | 0 Downloads )
Krag_Carbin_026ss.jpg ( 110 KB | 0 Downloads )

Title: Re: Yet Another SRS and Carbine Check
Post by 1911Ron on Aug 19th, 2017 at 9:00pm
I know nothing about Carbine serial numbers so i'm no help there, i do like it though congrats!

Title: Re: Yet Another SRS and Carbine Check
Post by Local Boy on Aug 20th, 2017 at 7:01am
Hey thanks a lot 1911Ron I appreciate the comment!

Title: Re: Yet Another SRS and Carbine Check
Post by 98src on Aug 20th, 2017 at 10:56am
If it is marked Model 1899 on the receiver, there is no doubt that it is a carbine. But, it is not mentioned in the SRS records.

Title: Re: Yet Another SRS and Carbine Check
Post by Local Boy on Aug 20th, 2017 at 2:05pm
Thank you for checking 98src!

Title: Re: Yet Another SRS and Carbine Check
Post by psteinmayer on Aug 20th, 2017 at 8:06pm
All 1899 Krags are carbines, as there were no 1899 rifles manufactured.  That's a pretty good looking example too!  How does the bore look?  Have you shot it yet? 

Title: Re: Yet Another SRS and Carbine Check
Post by Local Boy on Aug 21st, 2017 at 12:09am
Thanks psteinmayer, haven't had the opportunity to shoot it yet... hopefully soon.  Barrel groves are pitted but not too bad.  Barrel lands, after cleaning, are nice and shiny.  I realized that all 1899 Krags are carbines, however, I just wanted to post some pics to find out if the more knowledgeable folks can see some issues that I'm not.  I already have a 1896 Stokes modified carbine that has been quite the learning experience. Once again just wanted to find out if it had been bubba molested. :)

Title: Re: Yet Another SRS and Carbine Check
Post by butlersrangers on Aug 21st, 2017 at 2:33am
Local Boy: It appears you have a correct model 1899 carbine. Serial number 349616 would have been built around September or October, 1901.

Your stock and hand-guard appear to be Italian walnut. This wood is found on some Krag rifles and carbines built during 1899 to 1901. The 'finger grooves' of your forearm suggest the stock has been sanded down a bit. When first built, your carbine likely had the same type of hand-guard as used on the model 1898 rifle. These were later updated to the 'humped' type to protect the rear sight when the carbine was used in a saddle scabbard.

Is there a dated 'cartouche' on your stock?

I only see a couple of minor (and correctable) problems on your 1899 carbine: Your extractor had the 'bolt hold-open pin' filed off. Your front-sight blade is a replacement and too tall. Your carbine will probably shoot low.

Nice pick up! Enjoy!

Title: Re: Yet Another SRS and Carbine Check
Post by Local Boy on Aug 21st, 2017 at 4:36am
Thank you for your input butlersrangers!

Unfortunately there're no cartouches. The owner of the store said it came from a long-term Alaskan family and that the carbine was brought to Alaska from the Philippines. So maybe it was refurbished or restocked there? Just speculating.

I read an earlier post discussion where you described the difference between American and Italian walnut and I was wondering if the stock was Italian walnut.  It seemed lighter than other walnut stocks or maybe it was because of the meatballs that came rolling out of the cleaning rod compartment.  ::)

I thought the front sight looked too tall but then I read Joe Poyer's discussion about the Type 2 carbine sight blade being similar to the Type 4 rifle front sight.  He said it was taller and used with the carbine 1901 rear sight. I guess I'll find out at the range and also I don't see a "C" on the front sight blade.

BTW, I read some history about Butler's Rangers... Man those were some ruthless dudes!!!

Title: Re: Yet Another SRS and Carbine Check
Post by butlersrangers on Aug 22nd, 2017 at 3:51am
'Local Boy': Two photos showing a model 1899 carbine front-sight blade and the extractor 'latch-pin' on a model 1898 bolt.

(p.s. - The Canadian view of Butler's Rangers would be quite different: they were loyal, fought hard and made great sacrifices. Two of the Ranger Companies served out of Detroit, later in the American Revolution. They eventually settled in Amherstburg, Ont.).
krag-patina1898_002.JPG ( 138 KB | 0 Downloads )
krag_99-blade_021.JPG ( 50 KB | 0 Downloads )

Title: Re: Yet Another SRS and Carbine Check
Post by Local Boy on Aug 22nd, 2017 at 4:33am
Mahalo once again for the info butlersrangers!

I purchased an extractor, with the pin still in it, from a local gun shop along with and assortment of Krag screws.  Unfortunately no sight blades.

I guess I'll look around the usual places for a replacement sight blade.

Sorry, I guess it was a poor choice of words concerning Butlers Rangers.  I meant it more like they where tough special OPS kinda guys. 8-)

Title: Re: Yet Another SRS and Carbine Check
Post by Local Boy on Aug 22nd, 2017 at 5:22pm
Think I found the reason for the tall front sight blade.  It seems that the rear sight binding lever screw was not sitting flush with the underside of the sight base. I believe this prevented the rear  sight from sitting flush with the barrel and caused the front end of the rear sight to be raised more than it should.

Title: Re: Yet Another SRS and Carbine Check
Post by butlersrangers on Aug 22nd, 2017 at 10:31pm
FYI - Krag rifle blade for use with 1901 and 1902 rifle rear-sights measures .413". Carbine blade height for 1901 and 1902 carbine rear-sights measures .355". These dimensions are just for the removable blades and do not include the height of the front-sight base.

The pin that holds the blade in the base is tapered. It should be driven out from the left-side of the base.

p.s. A 'loose' original Krag carbine blade is very hard to obtain. You may just wish to file down your high replacement blade to obtain desired point of impact. I believe S&S Firearms (Glendale, N.Y.) offers replica blades.

Attached photo shows contour of carbine and rifle blades.
krag-blades1_004.JPG ( 53 KB | 0 Downloads )

Title: Re: Yet Another SRS and Carbine Check
Post by Local Boy on Aug 23rd, 2017 at 1:00am
Once again thank you sir!

Krag Collectors Association Forum Archive » Powered by YaBB 2.6.0!
YaBB Forum Software © 2000-2024. All Rights Reserved.