I am new to the forum and just acquired a 1898 Krag Carbine that I believe is a cut-down rifle - but it is a Krag, and something I have been looking for the last several years.  I havre been writing a book on American firearms and the Krag has come up several times! 

The stock does not have the spring clip for the front barrel band.  It also has a M1902 rear sight not marked with a "c".  At some point it was fitted with what appears to be a Redfield front sight and rear peep sight from the 1920s.  What I have noted is that the rear sight is installed over the magazine cut-off tab. 

My question is whether the sight simply covers the cut off or if it had to be removed to install the sight?  Also, will the magazine be cut off if removed?  My guess is that this was a Bannerman cut-down, but did they go to the trouble of filling the lightening notch in the stock?  A final question would be whether there is value in replacing the rear peep sight with the original cut-off.  Thanks TN Rifle.

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