I'm an avid Krag collector and am always looking to fill holes in my collection. I love getting new Krags and taking them apart, cleaning them, reloading for them and shooting them! Best way to learn the history of these wonderfully colorful firearms. I often spend hours searching auctions for good deals, often mis-represented by the sellers in ways that shows they don't know what they are selling. Studying the books and looking at the details is where it's at for finding treasures that others might miss. We all make mistakes, though, and learn the hard way when we get something (and sometimes pay too much!) that isn't what we thought it was. But, the occasional great find can make the bad deals feel less bad.

So, I found what I believe to be an authentic, one in 5002, 1898 Krag Carbine.  I unpacked the treasure right when the delivery guy dropped it off, looked it over and took it to my shop to examine the bore. I'm a big one for nice bores, especially in Krags. This one was dirty but looked great with little pitting. A good deep cleaning brought out the shine of great rifling and only slight surface wear. It's been used but almost no pitting.

The pictures show that this carbine, serial number 120864, is in the correct range of when the 1898 Carbines were made and shows that the stock has been replaced with an appropriate 1899 carbine stock with a 1901 carbine rear sight. That makes this a third configuration according to Brophy. The stock is in beautiful shape, with one stable crack, the muzzle and front sights are clean and most of the bluing still shows signs of fire blue color. The receiver is scratched up slightly but nothing too deep or disfiguring. The cleaning rods and oiler are in the butt compartment.

I disassembled the carbine carefully and cleaned it well. The barrel patina looks all original even where the rear sight has been living for most of its life.

I will attach pictures as best as I can and let the experts give feedback.

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