I'm not sure which one of our Krag lovers this is but I found this in a review of a National Match set of pictures I was looking at recently. Love seeing the Krags and the shooters who take this sport a lot more serious than I do but this guy looks like he's ready to stick the muzzle of his Krag rifle in someone's ear.

Good thing his finger is off the trigger and the bolt is open!

Funny picture of the day!

---

It makes you look twice, but, I believe it is an illusion caused by the camera angle. I believe the man sitting is well behind the shooter's muzzle.






FWIW - a pet peeve:

I can't begin to count the number of times at gun shows and at the local gun shop, I have had to move 'out of the line of fire' of a pointed gun muzzle.

It is not young people.
Old 'Farts', who should know better, are often the culprits.

The hair goes up on my neck and I have to control myself from 'Decking' the offender.

When politely cautioned on the breach of gun safety and etiquette, the response is often a defense of bad behavior, rather than a polite 'Sorry'.

Now, it was meant to be humorous. I was fairly certain it wasn't what it appears to be!

But, I, too have seen my share of careless firearm handling. Few accidents but we all have to do our job at being safe!

I doubt CAT Man and the Range Safety Officers would have allowed a dangerous situation to occur during the Roosevelt Match.

looks like a thin-wristed stock on that Krag.

Hmmmmm.  You know it does look like a thin wrist stock.  And if you look at the loading gate it looks like it is very early in production.  Possibly in the 100s and as high as the 3100s.  And I can just make out the sling is a M1923.

Probably the oldest Krag on the line that year.

Yelp, I agree with Chuck "camera angle".  Looks like he's getting ready for the rapids string of fire.
The scorer would be positioned behind the firing line.
Vic

you gotta love telephoto lenses and what they will do to an image. I think Culpeper is on to something there with the loading gate. I bet that's a real early 1892 that was converted to an 1896. I have one of those that is in the 4-digit serial range. Would be nice to track down the shooter and get some photos for those of us that give a rat's rump about that sort of stuff.

you gotta love telephoto lenses and what they will do to an image. I think Culpeper is on to something there with the loading gate. I bet that's a real early 1892 that was converted to an 1896. I have one of those that is in the 4-digit serial range. Would be nice to track down the shooter and get some photos for those of us that give a rat's rump about that sort of stuff.

The gents in the picture are Catman (sitting in the SAW garb), and Culpeper (holding the 1892)!  Picture was from the first Roosevelt Match three years ago!  We were all shooting together in a large group... and had a total BLAST (pun intended)!  This year will be our best match ever!!!

I've been found out.  That was the 2017 Roosevelt.   The rifle was 3140.  Everything is correct expect the cocking piece.  It is not squared.  It is a M1896.  What I would give for a true 1892.  Sheesh.  I had mis-remembered what I had used for the match (I thought sn 112) but looking at the group pic I don't see the brass tipped cleaning rod.  Ah, old timers disease.

My number 112 has the 1896 mods.  Got taken to the cleaners on it by my noobie ignorance years ago and the unethical dealings by a founding member of the KCA.

If I'm reading this right, why would your 112 have had the brass tipped cleaning rod if it had the 1896 mods? I must have missed something.

The M1892 original bolts with cocking pieces are nice, aren't they? Hard to find as replacements.

The real question is...  Will Culpeper grace us with his presence at the Roosevelt this year???

Camp Perry or Bust 2020

Whig wrote on May 18^th, 2019 at 4:15pm:

If I'm reading this right, why would your 112 have had the brass tipped cleaning rod if it had the 1896 mods? I must have missed something. The M1892 original bolts with cocking pieces are nice, aren't they? Hard to find as replacements.

Because the -ahem- gentleman acquired a modified 94 without a cleaning rod, which are more rare than a virgin goat in Mecca, and sold it as near original.  It is a repro rod.  A hundred and twenty year old piece of brass should not be bright and shiny as a new candle stick. it should look like it has been touched and oxidized.  Similiar to a bright new one cent coin and a thirty year old one.

.

I can believe that it was a nooby "oversight". I'm pretty sure I could have made the same mistake early on.

But, a modified M1894, 94/96, would have the channel filled and no long cleaning rod. It would be in pieces in the butt. I guess that's what I'm checking on. That's why I'm saying I'm missing something.

You are focusing on the stock.  It is a transient item.  You can change a bad stock for a correct stock, heh if you can find one, and all would be good.  Most of the time when someone says the 1894s were modified to 1896 means the hold open notch has been cut into the receiver.  And the cocking piece is typically a 1896.

That notch, and all other parts being equal, can be a few thousand dollar difference in the value of the Krag from what I have seen over the years.

One of the guys here picked up the most complete Krag I have ever seen.  It even had the original squared cocking piece. :o

---

So, you mean a partially modified rifle. That's what I was confused with. A fully modified one would have all of the changes.

Thanks for clarifying that!

Well that is the problem.  Did every Krag get sent back to Springfield for mods?  After reading Joe Farmer's book I would think not so much.  Did most?  Yep.  Did a rare unicorn fall through the cracks?  I'm thinking yes.

I would not pay thousands for a 1894 if the "specialness" is gone and it is a run of the mill 800-1000 dollar Krag.  The specialness is an unmodified receiver.  Everything else is just parts.  Of course if the rifle is under a certain date then you can get into the lunatic hunt for the correct serial numbered parts.  3140 has its matching parts and original cleaing rod.  112 does not. 

Good points. Although, as has happened with many collectibles in the past, as time goes on, even slightly altered M1894s will be commanding premium prices. If more collectors ever start to come out of the wood work, anything goes with what will be sought after and collected.

They're all special to me but some are more special than others!

Culpeper wrote on May 18^th, 2019 at 5:41pm:

Camp Perry or Bust 2020

I'm gonna hold you to that bub!!!