Recently purchased a 1899 Krag carbine for $361 bucks from Gun Broker. I wanted something I could take apart, put back together and generally modify/reconfigure (kinda like Mr. Potato Head).  So I found this one and thought it had good bones, submitted a bid and won!

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So I put a spare 1901 rear sight and handguard on it as well as a repro front sight. I also removed the slings and filled the holes   .  Than cleaned, stained, applied linseed oil and waxed.  Than thought to myself "Hey that went pretty well for my Mr. Potato Head Krag... Wonder how it shoots?"

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Wow! Was I amazed! Without any adjustments the dang thing shot pretty well.  Even with a frosty pitted bore!

I used Remington Core-Lokt 180 Gr. PSP ammo.

Bullseye was at 25 yds to start.

Next, 3 quick shots at 100 yds.

Than 2 more 100 yd head shots that I compensated for the previous elevated shots.

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Next up for Mr. Potato Head Krag is to see what he does with a hybrid 1896 rear sight and repro handguard.  My hope is to increase my knowledge and insight concerning the marvelous Springfield Krag and Mr. Potato Head Krag should prove very handy in this endeavor!

Nice job making that carbine look right. I'm glad you are having fun. Krags do like to shoot and like that 180 grain stuff!

Since you have a 1901C sight that matches the rest of the metal, and a real handguard, I'd leave well enough alone and not spend any more money. You will NOT be happy with the repro guard, no matter whose it is, and the 1901 sight is vastly superior to the 1896. You clearly can do nice wood work, so you might play with the HG to make it match the stock a little closer for color and gloss - then call it good. Just my $.02.

Thank you Butlersrangers and Dick for your comments.

Like I posted earlier, I was looking for something that I could play with as far as assembling/disassembling... Like a grown man's dress-up-doll.

However, after putting it all together and in such a short time, I began thinking "wow, that was the quickest refurbish job I ever did... maybe I'll leave it like it is."

Needless to say maybe I'll take Dick's advice and call it good.

With the 'headless' cocking-piece and 'humped' hand-guard, your 'Shooter' Krag looks like the 'potatotypic' model 1899 carbine!

Nicely done sir!

Now, just for grins, can anyone identify the maker of the rear sight that was removed?  It looks very familiar, but I can't seem to remember it.  (I keep wanting to say "Marble's", but I don't think that's correct.)

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It looks identical to a (Webster) Marble's rear sight that I have.

The trade mark is hard to read in the original picture, because it is upside-down and at an angle, but, in three lines it would read: Marble's - Gladstone - Mich. U.S.A.

(The second picture is an identical sight in my possession).

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Thank you sir!

Mr Potato Head gets a 1896 rear sight makeover!

Purchased a 1899 hand-guard (for the 1996 rear sight) from East Taylor LLC:

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Sanded the repo handguard, applied Birchwood Casey walnut stain to the desired color and finished it off with 3 coats of boiled linseed oil.

After the handguard dried I lightly brushed it with 0000 steel wool and applied stock wax.  Buffed it and placed it on the carbine.  Next I slapped on a non-carbine 1896 rear sight and WALLAH!

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Part #2

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Part #3

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Part #4

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Part #5

Member Baltimoreed has given me an idea for the next project.

Think I'll contact Kraghaus and order a rail for mounting an optic device!

...But first I'd like to see how the carbine shoots with the 1896 rear sight.  My understanding is that the 1901 rear sight is far better than the 1896 rear sight.  So, that being said... guess I'll find out at the range!

p.s. It's an 1896 rifle sight so it'll be interesting.  Real 1896 carbine sights go for BIG BUCKS!

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It looks good. Go play!