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Message started by Lead Pusher on Dec 30th, 2019 at 6:54pm

Title: Bought an 1998 on GB
Post by Lead Pusher on Dec 30th, 2019 at 6:54pm
I won an auction on GB for an 1898 Krag. It is in carbine fashion though I doubt started life that way. Serial number is 86959. The barrel has a nice standard crown to its 22" length but the front sight is a Springfield 1903 style. the stock has been cut down and had the cleaning rod hole nicely filled in. Can hardly make it out. A pistol grip was cut in and some crude checkering done. I have a new 80% walnut stock that I'll fit to it.  A magazine cut-off style peep had been mounted and some tack welding(very small spot) has held it tight. The sight had been broken so all that remained was the base. It broke of with just a bit of pressure. A touchup with 320 grit polished off the spot weld. Now I need to locate a cut-off lever. My goal is to get it looking nice again and paper punch with it. :)
Krag_Carb.jpg ( 21 KB | 22 Downloads )

Title: Re: Bought an 1998 on GB
Post by Lead Pusher on Dec 30th, 2019 at 6:58pm
In addition to my original post, the sling on it may or not be an original. The front attachment is a hook affair thing and it has a steel buckle. Very old looking leather strap.

Title: Re: Bought an 1998 on GB
Post by FredC on Dec 30th, 2019 at 7:25pm
Looks nice for a sporter, it could be a very good shooter also.
FYI the "8" is probably a "3" punched a little deep.

Title: Re: Bought an 1998 on GB
Post by butlersrangers on Dec 30th, 2019 at 7:34pm
'Lead Pusher' - Your Krag, #86959, is actually a 'cut-down' model 1896 rifle. It was likely manufactured around December, 1897, to February, 1898.

FWIW - The "Model 1896" receiver stamping is often deep and easily misread. The 1896 and 1898 actions (and parts) have many differences.
Some 1898 parts, especially the Bolt Mechanism, will work on the earlier Krag actions. Some magazine mechanism parts will not.

The model 1896 Cut-Off Lever has a long shaft, however, the shorter model 1898 Cut-Off will also work on a model 1896 action.

The model 1896 action requires additional wood removal, in the bolt-handle area, in order to seat in a Stock fitted to a model 1898 action.

Pictures of the remains of your rear 'peep' sight would allow likely identification by Forum Members.

It looks like your barrel-band is for a 1903 Springfield rifle.
Your Stock did not have a 'Clearing-Rod'. The filled-hole at the Stock-Tip was a channel to lighten the Stock. It became exposed when the Stock was shortened.

Title: Re: Bought an 1998 on GB
Post by FredC on Dec 30th, 2019 at 7:44pm
My OOPs. If that is a 1896 with a five digit number the first number may be an "8". Did not even count the digits, sorry if I confused things.

Title: Re: Bought an 1998 on GB
Post by Lead Pusher on Dec 30th, 2019 at 9:12pm
Thank you for the information. I wondered about that band not looking like the other Krags I've seen. I need to find one of those too. The gun is far from a collector piece but to me it will be a nice addition to my collection. A fun gun to shoot.

Title: Re: Bought an 1998 on GB
Post by Whig on Dec 30th, 2019 at 9:16pm
After all that's happened to it over the past 120 years, it's still a Krag! Enjoy it!

Title: Re: Bought an 1998 on GB
Post by Lead Pusher on Dec 30th, 2019 at 9:31pm
I went and looked at the date on it and it is an 1896. The 6 is smudged a bit. I thought I might have a barrel band but it must be from another model gun. It's very loose on the stock. Are there different bands for the Krag that I need to look for?

Title: Re: Bought an 1998 on GB
Post by butlersrangers on Dec 30th, 2019 at 10:31pm
All U.S. Krag Rifle rear barrel-bands are the same.

Photo of Krag (rifle) Barrel-Band on 'cut-down' Stock:
IMG_9695.JPG ( 582 KB | 1 Download )

Title: Re: Bought an 1998 on GB
Post by Knute1 on Dec 30th, 2019 at 11:05pm
I have a sporter pretty much the same, except my rear sight is still a Model 1896. However, the barrel is from a 1903 Springfield and the barrel had been tapped for the two rear sight screws. I don't know what your intentions are for a rear sight, you may want to make sure it has mounting holes on the barrel. That may help you decide. A peep sight may still be your best bet from an installation and cost standpoint. But hey, it's your gun.

Title: Re: Bought an 1998 on GB
Post by Mark21 on Dec 31st, 2019 at 3:16pm
I have a 1896 long shaft cut off.  If you want it PM me.

Title: Re: Bought an 1998 on GB
Post by Lead Pusher on Dec 31st, 2019 at 8:56pm
I have a barrel band and a short cut off coming. The short cut off works I'm told on the 96. When I ordered it I was thinking I had a 98. I fitted the new stock this morning and I am glass bedding the action so it's snug. I have some 96 rear sight parts coming from Grandpas' Parts and I will install them on the base I have. I do have a Williams  Krag peep sight that I may go to later on if I have a time with the standard rear sight. My eyes aren't the best. I was looking at the sling that was on this girl when I got her. I have never seen one like it before. It's not like the 1887 sling. Don't know what it's off of.

Title: Re: Bought an 1998 on GB
Post by Culpeper on Jan 3rd, 2020 at 2:50pm
Does the receiver read "1896" or Model 1896"?

Title: Re: Bought an 1998 on GB
Post by Lead Pusher on Jan 5th, 2020 at 3:03pm
My receiver says Model 1896. I mentioned the sling that was on it which is very old. It's not one that would have been used like the 1887. (I think that was the Krag sling)
new_sling__2_.jpg ( 669 KB | 2 Downloads )

Title: Re: Bought an 1998 on GB
Post by butlersrangers on Jan 5th, 2020 at 4:56pm
Gosh, you post some Big Pictures!

I believe your sling is commercial and of a type that was popular in Europe and Britain (including use on shotguns).

It should have two of the "sling-hooks" which are intended to attach to a simple "eye-fitting" that screws into the butt and forearm, or an "eye" brazed/soldered onto the barrel(s).

IIRC - Winchester also offered this sling arrangement on a custom basis.

This system offers a quickly detachable sling, but, can be noisy with metal on metal contact.

The use of this "sling-hook" on your Krag is rather redundant, since you already have front and rear swivels.

The "sliding-buckle" is clever, secure, snag-proof and quiet. I don't believe it is "military". A smaller version is seen on some binocular cases.
A buckle of similar type may be found on some Horse Equipment.
a_new_sling-1.jpg ( 29 KB | 0 Downloads )
a_new_sling-2.jpg ( 32 KB | 0 Downloads )

Title: Re: Bought an 1998 on GB
Post by butlersrangers on Jan 5th, 2020 at 5:45pm
'Lead Pusher' - I would recommend leaving your stock, as it is.

In time, should the added pistol grip prove uncomfortable or objectionable, it can be cut off and reshaped.

Years ago, I bought an altered carbine stock ... Cheap!

It was more useful to me to cut off the pistol grip and approximate the original stock contour.
(The grain direction of the added wood and remnant of the screw shank probably strengthen the stock wrist).

Just sharing an idea:
unbubba_004.JPG ( 86 KB | 0 Downloads )
unbubba2_003.JPG ( 108 KB | 1 Download )
unbubba4_004.JPG ( 84 KB | 0 Downloads )

Title: Re: Bought an 1998 on GB
Post by Lead Pusher on Jan 10th, 2020 at 6:19pm
Final pic of my krag. I'm pleased with it. Now to get it to shoot.
krag_005.jpg ( 688 KB | 5 Downloads )

Title: Re: Bought an 1998 on GB
Post by Whig on Jan 10th, 2020 at 7:29pm
Nice honest restoration. It would look a little prouder with the appropriate hand guard!

Title: Re: Bought an 1998 on GB
Post by butlersrangers on Jan 10th, 2020 at 7:36pm
Looks like you are having fun!

BTW - Your model 1892 rear-sight is on backwards.

Title: Re: Bought an 1998 on GB
Post by Ned Butts on Jan 10th, 2020 at 7:37pm
Turn the rear sight around please!

Title: Re: Bought an 1998 on GB
Post by Baltimoreed on Jan 11th, 2020 at 3:42am
Thought something was wrong.

Title: Re: Bought an 1998 on GB
Post by Lead Pusher on Jan 14th, 2020 at 8:58pm
Thank you. I finally figured that out on the sight. It seemed weird to have the notched blade of the sight out front. I see now that the yardage makings are readable.

Title: Re: Bought an 1998 on GB
Post by FredC on Jan 14th, 2020 at 10:04pm
You could have done it the Texas Aggie way. Unscrew the sight, lift it up a couple of inches, turn the gun around 180 degrees, and lower the sight and replace the screws.
Your way was OK, just letting you know there was another way to do it.:-)

Title: Re: Bought an 1998 on GB
Post by Lead Pusher on Jan 17th, 2020 at 4:10pm
FredC, I never thought of that. Gosh, there are no ends to how to accomplish those tasks.

Title: Re: Bought an 1998 on GB
Post by madsenshooter on Jan 22nd, 2020 at 3:33am
Take your screwdriver to the range with you, in case you need to turn that sight back around.  I've seen a lot of them turned around backwards and it could be folks did it to get on paper using the front sight they'd put on it.

Title: Re: Bought an 1998 on GB
Post by cquickel on Feb 14th, 2020 at 8:11pm
You mind if I add your rifle to the KCA serial number database?

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