'RetiredMil' - You have a nice looking and useful Krag, but, it is not a model 1898 carbine. It is a 'cut-down' model 1898 rifle.

The stock is a shortened rifle stock as evidenced by the lack of a 'band-spring' to retain the barrel-band.

Your front-sight appears to be a 'banded-type' and was not used on military Krag carbines.

The 1900 'cartouche' and "J" are original markings. The "J" was probably put on during a rebuild after 1903.

You appear to have a Krag that was altered for Hunting and I suspect "Ritz" was a previous owner.

It should be a fun Krag for the Range.