I think that I found a good one at the Md Military Show this weekend. It’s a Krag 1896 rifle #83470. No cracks anywhere, no rust except for a couple of spots under the bbl that cleaned up with bronze wool. The metal is a nice blue but there is molasses consistency oil on the action, rear sight and bolt inside and out. I couldn’t hardly work the bolt it was so gummy. The wood is dark but in just carrying it around the show the nice red finish had started coming through where I was carrying it. The bore cleaned up great. Whatever that stuff is on the stock is being difficult and while i can wipe it away the stock still feels sticky. Anybody have an idea on what will clean it up. Photos tomorrow.
BTW, I hadn’t been to the Md show in recent years due to my wife’s poor health but have been to it several times in the past, it was very nice. Long line to get in but the aisles were wide and the fairgrounds building big enough to hold all the folks. No handguns allowed that were made after 1898. But any vintage military long guns were ok. There were alot of civil war and ml items. Lots of Krags, ‘03s, 03-a3s, garands and a couple of Johnson rifles. I also saw a .45 Savage pistol [thats a big pistol], a .45 luger, a take down Marlin rifle with an extra barrel, several displays of miniature firearms. Lots of swords, bayonets and knives. I highly recommend the show. I wore my Span Am outfit and received a bunch of complements on it. And in case you’re wondering, my ‘find’ was only $650.00, the ugliest but least expensive Krag that I saw.