Krag Collectors Association Forum Archive | |
Firearms >> Sporterized and unofficial modified Krags >> Is 1898 Carbine a Sporter
http://www.kragcollectorsassociation.org/cgi-bin/yabb2/YaBB.pl?num=1556650055 Message started by Bob W. on Apr 30th, 2019 at 6:47pm |
Title: Is 1898 Carbine a Sporter Post by Bob W. on Apr 30th, 2019 at 6:47pm
I bought an 1898 Krag with 20" barrel and no sights or indication it ever had sights although the forearm is cut open for a rear sight. The muzzle is well crowned with no indication of being cut back. But there are no markings on the barrel. The stock is very nice and has a faint cartouche. The blue and action are lovely.
My questions are: 1) should the barrel be marked? If so, where? 2) Any idea why it would not have any sights? 3) Does it still have value as a martial piece even though it is not complete? Thanks! |
Title: Re: Is 1898 Carbine a Sporter Post by butlersrangers on Apr 30th, 2019 at 7:52pm
'Bob W.' - It would appear your Krag, #273935, is a cut-down U. S. model 1898 Krag rifle with a model 1899 carbine hand-guard.
Your wood appears to be a cut-down rifle stock fashioned to look like a carbine stock. I don't see a (carbine stock) barrel-band retaining spring on the forearm tip. The Butt sling-swivel also suggests this was once a rifle stock. It is likely a close examination of your forearm 'tip' will reveal a wood plug, concealing the stock's lightening channel. At 20 inches, your barrel has definitely been shortened. Your metal looks refinished with a modern bluing process. Possibly the rear-sight mounting holes have been 'filled' with cut-off screws, that were then filed to blend in. The usual markings on a Krag barrel are a large "P" (proof) on the bottom of the barrel, (located back near the action), and a fine index-line at 9 O'clock, that lines up with an index mark on the front edge of the receiver ring. If your wood is original, the most valuable part of your Krag is its hand-guard. |
Krag Collectors Association Forum Archive » Powered by YaBB 2.6.0! YaBB Forum Software © 2000-2024. All Rights Reserved. |