I recently purchased a 1898 Krag. I have been trying to place it's origin, but I can't find another one that looks like this one. The serial number is 286080 so it tells me it was made sometime in 1900. It has a 1902 marking engraved on the stock. Please see the attached pictures. Can anyone help with this?

---

Barrel length?  Appears to be a regular 98 with some modification to the forestock.  However there were some 26" barreled models, which Dick Hosmer knows more about than I.

'Ramrod' - It appears you have a model 1898 U.S. Krag rifle, with a 30 inch barrel. The forearm of the stock has been shortened and a model 1873 'trapdoor' Springfield barrel-band (minus its two swivels) has been jammed on.

The top of your 1901 rear-sight base has been filed down.

These changes were likely done by a civilian owner, to used it for Hunting.

Your rifle, #286080, was likely made around September to October, 1900.

Your stock is probably not the original stock on your rifle. Parts got switched during Arsenal rebuilding of Krags.

Thanks for the explanation. No wonder I couldn't figure out what I have. I am looking forward to shooting it, if the rains would just stop.