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Firearms >> U.S. Military Krags >> Help identifying this Krag
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Message started by cb1 on Jul 18th, 2018 at 8:37pm

Title: Help identifying this Krag
Post by cb1 on Jul 18th, 2018 at 8:37pm
I'm hoping someone here could help me ID this rifle.

I know nothing about Krags, and this one just came into my possession, so I'm curious to find out what I have.

It looks at first blush to be a carbine, but the serial is in the 293*** range. After some basic googling, it looks to be a cut down or modified rifle. The stock has clearly been modified.

I'm hoping someone much more knowledgeable than me could provide some additional info.

Thanks in advance for any help.
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Title: Re: Help identifying this Krag
Post by Culpeper on Jul 18th, 2018 at 9:20pm
Welcome to the forum, cb1.  The smart guys will be along in a bit.

You have a cutdown rifle with a M1903 front sight and sight cover with an aftermarket rear sight.  Stock is a cutdown rifle stock with a nice pistol grip extention added.

best regards

Culpeper, the Great and Wonderful


Title: Re: Help identifying this Krag
Post by butlersrangers on Jul 19th, 2018 at 5:59am
'cb1' - Welcome to the KCA Forum!

I believe you and 'Culpeper' have covered all the basics.

A Krag in the 293XXX range was likely built around, September to October, 1900.

(A carbine in that period would have been marked 'model 1899', so you do have a 'cut-down' rifle).

A complete serial number would allow checking to see if it appears in Springfield Research Services data (SRS).

A picture of your 'after-market ' rear sight would allow sight maker & model identification. (I tend to be a gun-sight junkie)!

p.s. - 'Culpeper', it is hard to respond to a post, when you say: "The smart guys will be along in a bit". OUCH!

'butlersrangers' the meek and humble
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Title: Re: Help identifying this Krag
Post by Culpeper on Jul 19th, 2018 at 7:21am
I only ever say that with reverence.  You fellas know more about Krags than I ever will.  I don't have the depth of knowledge to give anything more than the basics and a bit of goofy humor

with respect

Culpeper

Title: Re: Help identifying this Krag
Post by Knute1 on Jul 19th, 2018 at 12:24pm
A more period correct sign off (vs. meek and humble) would be:

"Your most humble and obedient servant"

                    or

"Very respectfully, your obedient servant"

Just sayin.  Good to see another Krag come to surface.

Your most humble and obedient servant,
Knute1

Title: Re: Help identifying this Krag
Post by butlersrangers on Jul 19th, 2018 at 1:06pm
I don't know, Knute: that sounds sooo .... 18th century.

How about: "Mit Gott und Mauser .... er, Krag-Jorgensen"?
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Title: Re: Help identifying this Krag
Post by cb1 on Jul 19th, 2018 at 4:48pm
Thanks for the info, Culpeper and butlersrangers. I appreciate it.

The serial is 293653. A clearer picture of the rear sight is below.

Does a krag like this have any value from a collector standpoint? I would think not if it's been modified to this degree.

The action is smooth and the bore looks good, so I might just clean it up a bit and see what it turns into.
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Title: Re: Help identifying this Krag
Post by Rcat7147 on Jul 19th, 2018 at 5:05pm
In reply to the cleaning,
I might suggest the 3M stainless steel scrubbing pads.
These:   (You need to Login

The whole premise is it's "harder than rust but softer than the steel."  Trust me, I thought it was hogwash too until I tried it.
I've attached a before and after on one of my own guns.

This Krag would greatly benefit from these pads and some elbow grease.  I use them dry then give a good wipe down with an oily rag.


before.jpg ( 161 KB | 0 Downloads )
after.jpg ( 157 KB | 1 Download )

Title: Re: Help identifying this Krag
Post by butlersrangers on Jul 19th, 2018 at 5:22pm
'cb1' - You have the makings of a good utility & hunting Krag.

You will want to repair the Stock cracks by working in some 'Accra-glass' (epoxy-bedding) compound.

Clean the metal using a rag with kerosene, mineral-spirits, or denatured alcohol. (A good soak can help).

Light rust can be improve by lightly rubbing with #0000 steel-wool saturated with Hope's #9 solvent.

Heavier rust deposits sometimes respond to bronze brush or edge of a copper penny. Soak rust area with linseed oil and work rust patches with brush or coin-edge. It makes kind of an abrasive 'slurry', that should be wiped occasionally with paper towel, then re-do with clean linseed oil; (I sometimes add a little rotten stone to the linseed oil). Check your progress as you go along.

The goal is to preserve original finish and age patina. Avoid harsh abrasives, emery cloth, wire-wheels, and naval-jelly!

It's an old gun. You want character, not 'new'.

Your rear sight is a commercial 'Pacific' K2 (manufactured in San Francisco from approximately 1928 to 1953). A lot of people like the 'micrometer' K2 version.

No SRS 'hit' on #293653.

(p.s. - I was responding at same time as 'Rcat'. I was not questioning his method).

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