I got a reproduction handguard (second hand) for an 1898 that has no clips, nor holes for rivets. 

Not having an original to examine, I'm not 100% clear on what the exact curvature of the clips should be, or radius as compared to barrel diameter.  I assume they are a basic "C" shape,

I suppose my two questions are...

First, I assume they are more than 180 degrees of a circle, and so about how much of an actual circle are they?  Closer to 225 degrees?

Second, is the curvature circular to match the barrel, or is it a tighter radius such that the clips will "pinch" the barrel?

What I wish I could find is a photo of a handguard from the end to show the clip curvature clearly. 

This is the best I can do, tonight with photos.

BTW - Krag hand-guard 'clips' seem to be spring steel.

1. Crude repro hand-guard & springs.

2. Fit of rear hand-guard clip on barrel.

3. Quarter (rear) and Nickel (front) are held by 'clips'.

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Thanks butlersrangers - that's helpful.  It does look from that as if they are just a basic part of a circle - the nickels show that. 

I know whatever I do won't be ideal, but perhaps I can "do it right" some day. 

BTW I don't know who made the handguard, but I believe it's one of the type I've seen mentioned that didn't come with the bands.  Boyd's was it?

'timmholt' - I never messed with a hand-guard that did not have 'clips'. I believe you are correct about Boyd hand-guards lacking them.

Here is a picture of an original '1902' hand-guard, which shows much better workmanship on the rivets than a repro.

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Hi Timmholt,

I wonder if the folks at East Taylor LLC might help with your dilemma?  Additionally, on eBay, some folks have listed 1903 handguard clips.  I was thinking that maybe they could be modified for your use?

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Local Boy wrote on Jan 23^rd, 2018 at 1:41am:

Hi Timmholt, I wonder if the folks at East Taylor LLC might help with your dilemma?

Hmm good thought.  If they make them perhaps they'd be willing to sell some?

Anyone have an original that could measure the rivet head diameter on the outside?

About 1/4 inch or 6.3 mm.

Local Boy wrote on Jan 23^rd, 2018 at 6:44am:

About 1/4 inch or 6.3 mm.

Thanks!

S&S Firearms
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They used to sell clips  but I didn't see them listed now. I you contact them they may have some or a source.

Here is an interesting use for a Krag hand-guard 'clip'.

An advanced 'Bubba' re-purposed one to serve as a Snap On 'barrel-band' on his sporting Krag.

It seems to have worked. No stock cracks behind the action!

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Ha, I was looking at that rifle, thought that was a handguard clip.  At one time I got some rivets off ebay that look about right.  I have one of those Boyd handguards too.