Morning Everyone,

I have a story and request. About 8-10 years ago, I received my great grand fathers, who has since passed away, 30-40 krag that he had used in the army. It had been sportized, but it was mine. Fast forward a few years, my house was broken into and the rifle was stolen. Never recovered. Even afte all these years later it still makes me mad that someone did that to me. Anyhow, I was at a gun show a few years back and purchased this 30-40 Krag. It has definitly been sportized and pillaged. I have taken it to the range and fired it few times after I had it checked out by a local gun smith. Overall, the functionality of the firearm is in good working order. I love how this firearm shoots. It's wonderful.

So a couple of things. Would someone please tell me a little bit of the gun? Was it a rifle or carbine? I looked up the serial number (84997) and found it was built in 1897 according to oldguns.net. Also, could someone please tell me what has been done to the gun? I can tell that the stock has been sporterized. Something happened to the barrel between the chamber and the front "barrell band". Also, it looks like the front sight has been messed w/ too (Maybe dremmeled awhile back?). 

The second thing is this. Want I want to do is to modernize this firearm as much as possible. I plan on sending in the parts to CMP to get everything cleaned and reblued. What I need help with is this. Any tips or things to know when doing this? Second, and more importantly, what are some suggestions to where I can find a modern style stock, maybe synthetic, that fits the 30-40 krag? Maybe a custom one depending on cost. Also, I am thinking of removing the front and rear sight and mounting a scope. Any suggestions on mounts? OR what would it take to take this firearm and bring back it to original as much as possible and would that be a better option?

Any advice, thoughts, tips, etc, would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks!

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