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Firearms >> U.S. Military Krags >> Questionable front sight
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Message started by butlersrangers on Jul 21st, 2018 at 5:32pm

Title: Questionable front sight
Post by butlersrangers on Jul 21st, 2018 at 5:32pm
Is it just me?

On another forum a while back, photos were posted of a very proper looking U.S. model 1899 carbine.

This was the final picture posted. It shows the front-sight base, with the carbine front-sight protector removed.
(The new owner described the barrel "as being a tad over 22 inches", but, I am not sure he measured it properly)?

Something looks wrong to me.

IMHO -  This may be a real carbine barrel, but, I think an original front-sight base has been "re-attached".

It appears to me, there is the remains of a base brazed into the Springfield Armory barrel dovetail. It looks like a replacement base brazed on top of that.

Head Scratcher!
a_carbine_front_base_questionable.jpg ( 61 KB | 1 Download )

Title: Re: Questionable front sight
Post by Parashooter on Jul 21st, 2018 at 6:46pm
Looks original to me, but all the dirt, dust and debris obscuring the joint makes it hard to tell - as does shadow on near side of stud.

Why on earth do folks have to play with sight protectors - on, off, on, off . . .?

Title: Re: Questionable front sight
Post by Whig on Jul 22nd, 2018 at 5:39pm
Could an 03 band sight had been mounted and the original sight reattached by a skilled welder?

Title: Re: Questionable front sight
Post by butlersrangers on Jul 22nd, 2018 at 7:05pm
Parashooter has a keen eye and is usually correct.

Likely, this front-sight just needs a good cleaning with a toothbrush and some Hoppe's to remove fuzz and gunk.

The camera lens has probably made a straight machined 'line' look a bit curved.

Title: Re: Questionable front sight
Post by madsenshooter on Jul 25th, 2018 at 11:01pm
What I can make out of the dovetail at the front says original to me.

Title: Re: Questionable front sight
Post by butlersrangers on Jul 26th, 2018 at 1:28am
I was suspicious of what appeared to be a high and curving 'ridge'.

Upon reflection and consideration of Parashooter's and your opinion, I now think it an illusion, caused by hardened cosmoline, debris, and 'lens curvature'.

Sometimes I shoot my mouth off too much ... think I'll take some pills for it!
a_carbine_front_base_questionable_001.jpg ( 89 KB | 0 Downloads )

Title: Re: Questionable front sight
Post by Mark21 on Jul 27th, 2018 at 4:21pm
The sight looks right.  The ware pattern on the side could be from a sight cover.  The wear area only goes part way around the barrel.
Would like to know if the blade is marked with a C.

Title: Re: Questionable front sight
Post by Doco Overboard on Jul 28th, 2018 at 3:43pm
The width of the slot for the site blade was slightly wider on a replacement base I used.
Maybe it was just the one I had received but I had to form my own blade.

It also had a more robust exterior dimension in the radius at the front and rear of the post and was slightly wider.

My amateur opinion is that is a replacement base from what I can observe from the images. It's an opinion only, hope I'm wrong.

Title: Re: Questionable front sight
Post by butlersrangers on Jul 28th, 2018 at 4:40pm
'Doco' - A little bit of black 'gasket-seal' nicely firms up a loose Krag front-sight blade in a sloppy base. It eliminates wobble and can always be 'un-done'.

I rather regret starting this thread. Sight is probably correct. Just looks wrong because of dried goop, lint, scratched finish, and photo distortion.

Title: Re: Questionable front sight
Post by Mark_Daiute on Jul 29th, 2018 at 12:38pm
I would like to see this scrubed hard with oooo steel wool. If the joint looks invisible/nearly invisible, well then, its good but looking at the photo as it appears here I would've considered it bogus, but hey, that's me.

Title: Re: Questionable front sight
Post by butlersrangers on Jul 29th, 2018 at 12:58pm
A toothbrush and some Hoppe's would probably clean up the sight, in question, nicely. (I now think it's correct, but, greasy & dusty, which made it suspect).

Attached are photos of a Krag model 1898 rifle and model 1899 carbine front-sights to show rather typical appearance of sight base attachment.

IMHO - With short Krag barrels, (22" & 26"), this is the first place to look for 'mischief' and fakery.
krag-front_007.JPG ( 54 KB | 0 Downloads )
krag_99-blade-ed2.jpg ( 65 KB | 0 Downloads )

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