Krag Collectors Association Forum Archive

Krag Collectors Association Forum Archive
Firearms >> U.S. Military Krags >> 1898 Rifle with an 1898 unaltered rear sight http://www.kragcollectorsassociation.org/cgi-bin/yabb2/YaBB.pl?num=1520903091 Message started by olBEAR on Mar 13^th, 2018 at 1:04am

Title: 1898 Rifle with an 1898 unaltered rear sight
Post by olBEAR on Mar 13^th, 2018 at 1:04am

I have seen a 1898 Krag rifle, still milspec, with a 1898 unaltered corner rear sight. The rifle is in the 192000 to the 193000 serial number range (which by my calculations puts the mfg. date in 1899). Is this sight correct for the year of mfg?
Sorry, no pictures ...yet.

olBEAR

Title: Re: 1898 Rifle with an 1898 unaltered rear sight
Post by butlersrangers on Mar 13^th, 2018 at 2:44am

'olBear' - I am away from home and only have Joe Poyer's Krag book with me. I don't know how good this piece of data is and can't cross-check it.

Per Joe Poyer (page 163): "The Model 1898 rear sight was used on all Model 1898 rifles assembled circa serial #s 217,400 - 253,000."

Information in the Poyer book should be taken with a grain of salt and checked against more reliable sources.

The model 1898/Dickson sight has a lower base than the later model 1902 sight. It was calibrated for the 2,200 fps cartridge which was removed from service around March, 1900. The Dickson sight and higher velocity cartridge were short lived. It was intended the Dickson sight be removed and replaced.

Some 1898 sight parts got into the hands of surplus dealers and were potentially 're-used'.

Title: Re: 1898 Rifle with an 1898 unaltered rear sight
Post by olBEAR on Mar 13^th, 2018 at 3:42am

Thank you, again.
Does the unaltered sight call for more of a premium than the rifle with altered modified sight...or doesn't it make a difference?
Thanks

olBEAR

By the way, how can you enjoy the ocean when you keep answering everbody's questions?

Title: Re: 1898 Rifle with an 1898 unaltered rear sight
Post by butlersrangers on Mar 13^th, 2018 at 1:09pm

I've got to come in from the Sun, once in a while, and it drizzled for two hours one day!

FWIW - A correct model 1898 sight is relatively hard to find loose. To a collector a model 1898 rifle sight may be worth about twice the value of a model 1902 rifle sight, in any of its variations.

(With carbine sights, the model 1902 carbine sight is likely rarer than all other carbine models, but, that does not translate into dollars or demand).

On a rifle, when the originality is questionable, a model 1898 rifle sight probably doesn't add much value. (IMHO - $0 to $30).

Other KCA members with access to relevant sources may have better insights.

Title: Re: 1898 Rifle with an 1898 unaltered rear sight
Post by olBEAR on Mar 14^th, 2018 at 12:56am

And, again, thank you.
I was noticing some of the parts vendors charge up to $200 for an unaltered complete sight but the altered sight goes for $50 less.

olBEAR

Title: Re: 1898 Rifle with an 1898 unaltered rear sight
Post by Mark_Daiute on Apr 21^st, 2018 at 12:36am

I believe the 1898 rear sight is incorrect on any Krag rifle as it (the sight) was withdrawn from service never to be used again whils the rifle remained in service.

If I am repeating what others have posted I apologize.