Krag Collectors Association Forum Archive

Krag Collectors Association Forum Archive
Firearms >> U.S. Military Krags >> Questions about a 1904 model 1898 http://www.kragcollectorsassociation.org/cgi-bin/yabb2/YaBB.pl?num=1564952089 Message started by Baileyfacts on Aug 4^th, 2019 at 8:54pm

Title: Questions about a 1904 model 1898
Post by Baileyfacts on Aug 4^th, 2019 at 8:54pm

Hello! My father recently purchased a model 1898 but it seems to have some confusing quirks. Firstly the serial number is 479818 which would put it past the range for recorded serial numbers. Also the rear sight seems to be the 1898 style which doesn’t make sense for this later year. It may have been altered at one point it would seem but I’m hoping for some more info on this. I’ll post some pics as well. Thanks!

Title: Re: Questions about a 1904 model 1898
Post by Knute1 on Aug 4^th, 2019 at 9:42pm

Welcome. Pictures will be good. Serial numbers have been a big topic lately, so take a look at other posts to get an idea. There is a discrepancy between number of Krags built and sequential serial numbers used. 30 caliber Krags were last built November of 1903 according to Ordnance Reports. Doesn't mean never, but.....

Experts are on there way with more info.

Title: Re: Questions about a 1904 model 1898
Post by Dick Hosmer on Aug 4^th, 2019 at 10:26pm

Welcome, indeed! However, your end of numbers info is bad. Bowers rears its' ugly head again?

I've owned 482440 for many years and several arms up to 489xxx have been reported - don't believe they go above 490xxx, however.

Title: Re: Questions about a 1904 model 1898
Post by Whig on Aug 5^th, 2019 at 12:03am

Bailey - Your Krag sounds fine with no real problem with the serial number as Dick said. The real information comes from more detail and pictures. We love to see pictures and pick at every detail we can see - always in a friendly way!

Where did it come from? Do you know its history? Sights are always a big area of debate and confusion. They were changed on Krags more than dirty diapers on an infant. It could have been rebuilt at Springfield Armory or changed by an owner at some point.

Welcome to KCA!

Title: Re: Questions about a 1904 model 1898
Post by butlersrangers on Aug 5^th, 2019 at 12:17am

It would be interesting to see a picture of your Krag's rear-sight for identification.

There is no such thing as a "model 1898 style rear-sight".

It can be a model 1898 sight, a model 1902 sight, an official variation of the model 1902 sight (that uses an armory altered 1898 leaf & eye-piece), or it is an unofficial mixture of parts that somebody cobbled together.

Title: Re: Questions about a 1904 model 1898
Post by Mark_Daiute on Aug 5^th, 2019 at 11:17pm

Baileyfacts wrote on Aug 4^th, 2019 at 8:54pm:

An 1898 rear sight would, indeed, be very bogus. A 1902 rear sight would be fine.