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Firearms >> U.S. Military Krags >> LGS Find - How did I do?
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Message started by alphawhiskey on Jul 31st, 2018 at 12:53am

Title: LGS Find - How did I do?
Post by alphawhiskey on Jul 31st, 2018 at 12:53am
Found a very nice looking M1898 Krag rifle at a LGS the other day. The owner of the store said he had picked it up from a retired doctor who’d collected it along with another bunch of C&R type guns.

The cartouche is good and crisp (I forgot to check the proof mark cartouche). The finish appears to be above 95% with all original parts. Based on the serial number list on Bowers weapons, this would have been produced in the early part of the 1899 fiscal year.

C and Arsenal did a really long video and stated that at one point while the 1898 sights were being recalculated, Springfield continued using 1896 sights on several of the early M1898s, so I feel like it’s likely that sight is original to the gun.

Shop owner wanted a 1000 for it, which is honestly what I’ve seen complete (non-sporterized) ones going for on GunBroker for lately and less than the other one or two I’ve seen in person at gun shows and one other store.

What do you guys see? Did I do okay? (Photos to follow)

Title: Re: LGS Find - How did I do?
Post by alphawhiskey on Jul 31st, 2018 at 12:54am
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Title: Re: LGS Find - How did I do?
Post by butlersrangers on Jul 31st, 2018 at 4:12am
"AW" - Welcome to the KCA Forum.

It looks like you acquired a nice looking U.S. model 1898 Krag rifle.
$1,000 sounds like a fair price, if it has a very good bore.

IMHO - (I am a stickler for excellent bores and bore condition makes a big difference, whether an arm is a $750 Krag or a $1,000 Krag).

Most Krag collectors don't put much stock in the information on Bower's web page. You would likely enjoy Joe Poyer's book, "The American Krag Rifle and Carbine", which is in print and available on ebay for around $25. It's not without errors and controversy, but, superior to Bower's.

Your rifle, #119507, was likely assembled at Springfield Armory, around August, 1898. (BTW - Model 1898 Krag production started in July, 1898, at around #109,XXX).

Your serial number is in close company with both model 1898 rifles and model 1898 carbines.

FWIW - Krag, #119508, is documented in SRS (Springfield Research Services) data, as a model 1898 rifle, issued in 1899, to Co. D, 8th Mass. Vol. Inf. (Although the number is close, you can make no assumptions. Since your number is not listed, it is almost a certainty your rifle did not go to the 8th Mass.).

Your stock Cartouche "J.S.A. - 1899" (Joseph Sumner Adams) is credible as being original to your Krag. The Stock Cartouche was put on at the time of inspection and acceptance into service.

IIRC - The model 1896 rifle rear-sight was the standard sight at the time your Krag rifle was assembled.

Title: Re: LGS Find - How did I do?
Post by alphawhiskey on Aug 2nd, 2018 at 3:39am
Well, I wanted it more to round out my collection than to be a shooter. My bargaining power was pretty reduced since I live in a fairly rural part of Louisiana (where Krags aren’t exactly common to see in person) and since I choseto buy it on layaway.

I don’t feel especially bad about the price either since the owner just opened a very nice range complex (covered rifle and pistol ranges, the rifle range goes out to 700 yards, lots of steel targets, benches, and sandbags) so I’m getting to see direct benefits from my money going into a local business.

I’ll check out the bore (know, I know rookie mistake to not check the bore straight off but my heart convinced my brain that if the rifle looks fine on the outside, it’s probably fine on the inside) and send up a range report when I pick it up next month.

Anyone have any advice for bayonets for this? I believe the most common one that would have been issued would be that M1892 bayonet. Are originals available at reasonable prices or should I look into reproductions?

Title: Re: LGS Find - How did I do?
Post by butlersrangers on Aug 2nd, 2018 at 4:43am
"AW" - I repeat my recommendation that you buy a copy of Joe Poyer's  $25 book. It contains lots of clear photographs and will answer many of your questions. It has a lot of information on Krag accessories. It may help prevent expensive mistakes.

Another low cost item is a replica Ordnance Manual. Reprinted Manuals show up all the time on ebay and at gun shows. I particularly like the "1917" version, but, you may need an earlier printing to get instructions for your model 1896 rear-sight.

A nice example of the regular Krag bayonet & scabbard will cost $125 to $200. Lots of them are listed on ebay and gunbroker. You want to avoid blades that have been sharpened, dented scabbards, and examples that are badly rusted, pitted, or refinished. Krag bayonets show up at gun shows. Blade dates will range from 1894 to 1902.

Personally, I don't care about matching dates to rifles - the U.S. Army didn't care.

Don't buy a bayonet sheathed in a leather picket-pin case! The Army didn't do that. It's bogus. (Buy bayonet with scabbard. IMHO - It's probably harder to find a good scabbard than a nice bayonet).

If you are patient, a good bayonet 'will find you'.

Grandpa's Gunparts in the KCA Classifieds has original 'three-section' cleaning-rods and Oilers for about $50 for the set. These fit in the butt-trap and are a nice accessory at that price.

Decent replica leather Krag slings can be purchased online for $18 to $25. For the Krag, it should only be 64" to 66" total length.

An original Krag model 1897 screwdriver or brass muzzle-cover/sight-protector will cost about $100, each. You could get lucky at a gun show. These items are luxuries, not necessity. Being aware now, you may just blunder into these items.

Reproduction cleaning-rods and muzzle-covers are being made - be knowledgeable and careful! It helps to know the reputation of the seller.
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Title: Re: LGS Find - How did I do?
Post by alphawhiskey on Aug 2nd, 2018 at 8:17pm
Poyer’s book on the way from Amazon.

Title: Re: LGS Find - How did I do?
Post by butlersrangers on Aug 2nd, 2018 at 9:25pm
Enjoy! The book is not flawless, but, it has a lot of good information and I find it real helpful.

Title: Re: LGS Find - How did I do?
Post by alphawhiskey on Aug 18th, 2018 at 7:53pm
Well, I finally picked it up from the store the other day. The bore looks as great as the rest of the gun. Nothing hidden in the cleaning kit area in the buttstock.

I found one local store that has Remington 180grain 30-40 ammo at 40 dollars a box so I only put 6 rounds thru it as a test fire. Really accurate if the shooter does their part. Shooting offhand, I managed to put 2 out of 6 onto a 14” steel plate at 300yards.

Title: Re: LGS Find - How did I do?
Post by butlersrangers on Aug 18th, 2018 at 8:07pm
I'm glad the bore condition is great. She sounds like a fine shooter.

Save your Brass - .30-40 is a reloader's dream!

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