Hi All.  New to Krags, but I bought this carbine on impulse a few nights ago.  Hand-guard is missing and stock has been both repaired, heavily sanded and bubba'ed under leather butt pad.  Butt plate is missing.  But it spoke to me as otherwise untouched in a very long time.  I am looking for an original stock and handguard.  I also have a question:  should the handguard by straight 1901 rifle or humped?  Appreciate any other comments on this carbine. TIA

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'Foudufoot' - Welcome to the KCA Forum.

Likely, either hand-guard can be correct, on your model 1899 carbine.

Your carbine, #359184, was assembled around November, 1901.
This is before the carbine hand-guard with the 'protective-hump' was approved and made. (The model 1901 sight 'protective hand-guard' was adopted - February, 1902).

If the original rear-sight on your model 1899 carbine was the 1901 carbine-sight, the "rifle-style" hand-guard would have been used.

(It is also possible your carbine was subjected to a variety of sight and hand-guard updates, which could have included the protective hand-guard).

Aren't Krags Fun!

Welcome to KCA. You have an interesting looking Krag carbine there. It sure has seen better days but it is still a Krag!

Your stock sure could use a good safe cleaning with mineral spirits to get some of that crud off. It shouldn't hurt to get a few layers of that black crap off and then a few good rub downs with boiled linseed oil would help tons.

I can't see- do you have a front sight blade in that base? Hard to tell from your pictures.

That's a pretty neat leather butt pad. Might be nice just to keep it. The butt plate could be bought for a replacement off ebay as well as another side plate if you want to get a better condition one (not scratched.) . Nice to still have that carbine rear sight.

How's the bore? I love good bores and since yours is a later date Krag, it may have bypassed years of abuse and poor cleaning from corrosive primers.

The serial number's first digit sure looks like an "8" doesn't it? Many people mistake deeply struck "3"s for an "8".

Thanks for sharing and keep us informed as you fix her up!

Interesting as to how lighting and angle can change opinions. I happened to scroll up, so saw the larger pic first - where the "3" looks a lot like an "8" (which we all know is totally impossible, even if Frank did show a couple) yet the smaller picture CLEARLY shows a "3". Same gun, minutes (seconds?) apart.

Thank you all for taking the time to welcome me to the forum and share your knowledge with me.  I have found an original 1901 dated stock online and rifle style handguard as well!  Buttplate also ordered. 

Krags are indeed fascinating arms and a unique part of our history.  I feel fortunate to have a chance to restore the stock on this one with the correct model year.  The old stock is cool too, but had been cut so the leather butt pad would fit.  That stock is beyond repair.  I'll post pictures when the parts come in.  Thanks again!!   

PS;  the bore looks nice!  Shiny with strong lands and grooves, albeit shallow.  Guess that is standard for Krags?  30-40 ammo on order.  Reloading dies already in hand. 

Good luck with the switch-out. Should be a nice finished project to be proud of owning and shooting.

Glad to hear the bore is nice.

You'll find lots of reloading info on these pages, also. Please keep us informed along the way.

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The rear sight screw is broken.  If the sight is tight just leave it until you can locate another.  As others said a straight 1901 rifle hand guard would bee fine.

Original and reproduction 1901 sight-screws show up on Epay and S&S Firearms (Glendale, N.Y.).

Hand-Guards are prone to crack if snapped on and off the barrel.

If a hand-guard is not installed on a barrel, it is under spring tension.
It should be stored with a Quarter twisted into the rear-spring and a Penny or Nickel twisted into the front spring, to counteract the tension.

Best way to remove and install a Krag hand-guard is to take off rear-sight and take barrel-action out of stock.

The hand-guard can be slipped toward muzzle, where it will be loose and easy to remove.
It can be put back on, at the muzzle area, and slipped up the taper into place.

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Thank you for the useful tips.  Rear sight screw ordered.  I had noticed that as well.  The quarter and nickel trick is very ingenious. :)   I probably overpaid for the stock and handguard, but I love a good project. This one is worth it.  Side plate also ordered.  By the time I'm done, this one will be worth as much as the other untouched 1901 dated 1899 carbine I just bought on GB!  :-D  Probably overpaid for that one too. Oh well!   Man, these Krags are addicting!

You have discovered the truth about Krags- they ARE addicting!

Some military rifle collectors say that you didn't overpay- you just bought too early. Many of these old treasures will go up in value and, eventually, be worth more than you paid. (Hopefully!)

The more valuable ones are definitely the ones that are most original and correct. You have been working to make your Krag more valuable by fixing it up better than it was without defacing it. Plus, you can use it and enjoy it along the way.

Thanks for sharing and keep us up to date with pictures as the project progresses.

Thanks Whig.  I will keep you all posted when I complete the project.  1901 handguard is on the way, side plate received and installed, 1901 cartouched original albeit cleaned stock sale still pending.  Krag rifle pending as well.   My dilemma will be what to do with it when I complete the project.  My gut tells me I will want to hang on to it or spread the virus to one of my sons.. 

I've been collecting milsurps since 2005 and have focused my collection on Swedish Mausers and Swiss arms with a smattering of iconic US rifles.  Lately, my interest has turned to late 19th century US arms because of the rapid evolution in technology and the US active foreign interventions.  Fascinating period of history and firearms evolution. 

Just bought a first model Winchester Hotchkiss as well.  Collecting and leaning about our history is  definitely the most fun you can have with your clothes on. Maybe both! :-)

I just bought a Swiss 1911 7.5X55 Swiss Schmidt Rubin Carbine  from Aim Surplus at what I thought was a good price- $369. It is in excellent condition. I like these Swiss Mil Surp rifles also and have enjoyed shooting my other Swiss 1911 and my K31s. Very accurate and almost always in great shape.

But I love the Krags more!

Keep us posted.

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Handguard and side plate installed.  Waiting for stock.  Thoughts?

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Looks like a nice job so far.

That hand guard surprisingly matches the existing stock patina quite well. The new stock might require a little extra cleaning of the hand guard to match, if it is lighter than this stock.

The new side plate looks much better.

Always something more to do!

So I'm a huge Swedish Mauser fan.  But I must say I prefer the Krag when it come to handling.  Better balanced and feels lighter.

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That Mannlicher style stock up to or so close to the muzzle always has made me shiver a little bit since it is so unusual (bizarre) and different from the typical style like the Krags.

I don't think I own any rifles with stocks like that but they certainly are a unique looking style. The Krag looks so Dapper next to your Mauser!

Long Live The Krag!!

That's a mighty nice model 1894 Swedish Carbine! They are pretty rare to see without the 1914 bayonet fitting.

The Swedish carbine has long been one of my favorite arms.
When I was a kid, there was one in the gun-rack at the local Montgomery Ward's Store. It was there for years, priced at $21. My Dad didn't let me buy it because ammo was so expensive, ($3.25 for a box of 20 rounds)!

attached photos:

30 years ago, I bought a 'sporterized' Swedish carbine for $85.00, with six boxes of Norma ammo. I was able to scrounge up parts to restore it.
Krag model 1899 carbine was also restored from 'butchered stock' Deer Rifle.
British 'Jungle Carbine' is 'minty'. The way they use to sell for $35 in the late 1960's.

I've long been a sucker for Full-Power carbines.

Heavy is Good for the shooter! The Swede and the Krag are a lot more pleasant to shoot than the lighter British carbine.

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