Folks, here are some pictures of my barreled action Krag.

I am completely new to Krags, but I believe it to be a Model 1898 manufactured in the year 1900.

Obviously I need a stock and associated metal bits. Any help with that would be greatly appreciated! I'd like to shoot this some day.

If you all can educate me on this rifle or provide any SRS that would be swell.

What stock do I need? Is that sight correct? (I suspect it's an 1896 sight).

Thanks in advance!
-Rob

P.S. My apologies for the large pictures, I don't know how to make them smaller!

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Are you trying to make a sporter or something that looks original? I did a sporter howto some time back. It is in the sporter section. I started with the installed sporter stock. I had understood that a friend of my uncle had whittled it out from a blank, but another person posted a photo of his completed rifle and his stock looked like mine. So there is someone out there making sporter stocks for Krags. The fellow that fitted my uncles did a very poor job and left me with a lot of problems to straighten out, the other member evidentally did not have those problems.
I Have looked for that other thread and have not been able to find it maybe some else with better search technic can find it and tell us who made the stock.
If you are intending to make an original looking rifle other will be able to help you find the parts.

Thank you for the reply. I am looking to put this back to an original rifle - IF possible!

If the cost is prohibitive, then yes, sporter becomes an option.  ;)

'kragkrazy' - Welcome to the KCA Forum.

You are correct about your Krag, #270733, being a model 1898 rifle manufactured around July, 1900. You are also correct about your rear sight being the model 1896 sight, (which may be correct for the period at which your rifle was built).

Three questions come immediately to mind: How long is your barrel, does it have the original front-sight base, and what is the condition of the bore?

The answers to these questions are relevant to restoration efforts and expense.

Here are some photos of the front sight and of the length (30").

The bore looks fine to me, but I'm FAR from an expert!

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'kragkrazy' - It appears you have a model 1898 Krag action and barrel worthy of restoration.

I would recommend you make a habit of searching and watching ebay and GunBroker (search - krag rifle). The metal parts you need and stocks and hand-guards show up.

As you are realizing, wood components are expensive and difficult to find. Quite often it is necessary to use a 'cut-down' rifle stock and splice-on a reproduction forearm. (The splice is hidden under the rear barrel-band). New replacement forearms are available.

There are several parts vendors listed in the KCA Forum 'Classifieds'. It could be worthwhile to contact them regarding wood and metal items needed.

FWIW - It is not unusual for a full-length Krag rifle stock, in 'well used' condition, to sell for over $200. Hand-guards routinely bring $90 to $100.

Restoring a Krag can quickly become a money pit. I hope you get lucky and find parts reasonably priced.

To help keep things in perspective, a lot of complete & shootable model 1898 Krag rifles sell for $700 to $800.

'butlersrangers' thank you for the reply.

I'm starting to think I made a mistake buying this "rifle".
Last night I saw a stock sell for $540! That's absolutely insane.

For what I have in this "rifle", plus having to buy a stock, it would be far cheaper to buy a complete rifle at your $700-800.

Still, I would like to bring this back. I'm hoping that someone here may have a stock they would be willing to sell, and be a part of my journey.

Thanks.

Most of the metal on your barreled action looks good. If you could find a complete rifle with a shot out barrel and good wood, trigger guard, and such it could be a happy marriage. Waiting patiently till you find the right one will be the trick.
If the Krag bug has really bitten you, buying a nice looking sporter for $300.00 will give you something to play with till you find the right piece for the restoration.

FredC is giving good advice and patience is a KEY with Krags.

All you really need to make your Krag a 'Shooter' is a solid 'cut-down' stock with its butt-plate & swivel ($90) and rear barrel-band & swivel ($25).

Get your parts into a shooting condition and you will find out how the barrel performs and if you like shooting a Krag.

In time, you can pick up a front barrel-band/bayonet lug, hand-guard (original or reproduction), and reproduction forearm.

The virtue of your 'partial Krag' is that you have a full length barrel with a decent bore.

There are lots of Krags with 'roached out' or 'cut-down' barrels that could be wood donors.

Two suggestions: Buy an inexpensive reference book - Joe Poyer's, "The American Krag Rifle and Carbine" ($25) to build your Krag knowledge. Attend local gun shows and look for Krag parts.

IMHO - Krag part prices are getting crazy on the internet and fraud & ignorance is rampant. It is much better to communicate and deal with a reputable vendor, like the guys listed in the KCA 'Classifieds'.

p.s. (It appears your front-sight blade is a commercial replacement that was filed down). 

My 1898 Krag rifle, was made in 1901. The barrel looked fair, and after conventional cleaning (Hoppes), still looked just fair. Then I used a bench rest shooters suggested cleaning method, and the bore now is excellent. I used Kroil, and JB'S bore cleaning compound to thoroughly clean the bore.

Frank
Could you comment a bit further on the cleaning method?
Thx
Vic

Hey Folks, here's an update on my progress....patience is not a virtue of mine.

I THINK I now have something to shoot. I found an old sporter stock! I'm desperate for a barrel band now! Anyone have a  spare for the cause?

I'd much prefer an original stock, but now I can see how the rifle shoots! (IF it shoots!)

What do you all think?

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Your stock appears to be a 'sportered' model 1896 stock. It should work fine with your model 1898 barreled-action. A regular rifle band and swivel should have you in business.

The bug got you! Not surprised as the Krags are a real pleasure to shoot. Your action would still make a nice original rifle so now you can keep your eyes open for a good donor rifle while you play with it in its present form.

You might keep your eyes open for a donor sporterized Krag with a bad stock. then you will have 2 Krags before you know it.

Your present barreled action is too nice to sporterize.

Anyone have a barrel band to spare?

Anyone have a barrel band to spare?

I just checked. Looks like you can get one from granpa's gun parts for $20. Just google it. Your rifle looks great just the way you have it. Good luck!

Check S & S Firearms. I bought one a few years back. I'm not sure the cost as I bartered old gun parts from a Prussian musket. The barrel band was in excellent condition and I have it on my 1896 sporter.

Knute1 wrote on Dec 7^th, 2018 at 2:37pm:

Check S & S Firearms. I bought one a few years back. I'm not sure the cost as I bartered old gun parts from a Prussian musket. The barrel band was in excellent condition and I have it on my 1896 sporter.

Thanks for the tip, I checked ... OUCH!

LOWER BAND
KRAG LOWER BAND, Rifle, Complete With Sling Swivel, Original.
Price: $85.00

Anyone have one they want to part with at a reasonable price?

They show up regularly on the big auction site. Usually can get one for about half the price you quoted.

I just checked grandpa'sgunparts and like kerry49 said, he is selling them for $20. Not bad.

I noticed he has different grades of parts. The better the grade, the higher the price. If you talk to them you might be able to get x good match for the rest of your metal.

Yep, it says twenty bucks below the photo; however if you click on the part you will see that the actual selling price is at least twice that for one in “good” condition and even more for one in “excellent” condition.

Welcome. I am fairly new to Krags, but have been messing a lot with '03s and M1s. I have learned a lot, here. Yes, a full length stock can get pricey, especially on the auction sites. I am in the process of a Krag "Project". Be patient and scrutinize all parts you consider buying. Sometimes the Best move is to NOT buy. 

Consider the forearm repair, mentioned in the other post. The Forearm section costs about $50. Keep searching Ebay/GunBroker for a cut down or damaged stock. (Keep some cash on hand to take immediate advantage........Case in point: Recently on Ebay, there were listed TWO cut down stocks to carbine/sporter length.....Great candidates for such a repair. They were listed at about $60 EACH on a Buy-It-Now and someone snatched up both of them. I didn;t have the money to take advantage). So, do not despair.......they can still be found, but budget up to $200-$300 and jump on any deals. Do a Google search, too. Also try the search engine:   (You need to Login