Aloha and welcome to the forum Andylit!

FWIW: I would shoot for an 1898 Krag rifle since they seem to be more plentiful than other models, can be found in very good condition and seem to be reasonably priced, relatively speaking.

Just be a responsible Krag owner and have your rifle/carbine spayed or neutered.  They have a tendency to multiply and you'll find yourself spending lots of money on the special 30-40 feed blend that they require.

Additionally, what Olympia Dukakis's character Clairee Belcher says in the movie "Steel Magnolias" holds true with Krag owners:

"The only thing that separates us from the animals is our ability to accessorize."

Bayonets, muzzle covers, period correct slings, cleaning rods...