Krag Collectors Association Forum Archive - System Information

(UTC)

Krag Collectors Association Forum Archive › General › Older threads › Krag ID

(Moderators: Tom Butts, Ned Butts, KCA Forum Admin)

‹ Previous Topic | Next Topic ›

Page Index Toggle

Pages: 1

Krag ID (Read 4784 times)

Lorren KCA Forum Member Offline Krag Enthusiast! Posts: 6 Joined: Sep 21^st, 2010	Krag ID Sep 21^st, 2010 at 11:19pm	Print Post
	Hello, I was hoping to get some help here to ID my Krag Rifle/Carbine. This R/C has been sporterized and is in very non-original configeration. It is not stamped on the receiver with any markings. The only number is on the left side of the barrel near the receiver. It is marked as 3XXX. The barrel is about 22" but I suspect it is a shortened rifle and the front and rear sights have been changed(redfield peep). It has no handguard and the butt plate was replaced. There is no rod channel under the barrel but I suspect the stock was replaced. Barrel band has an 'U' on it left side, facing the rear. Any ideas? The receiver and barrel look 'rough' like they were not finished well or were turned on a lathe.(normal?). There are two filled screw holes in the top of the barrel. Thanks, Lorren


	IP Logged

Lorren KCA Forum Member Offline Krag Enthusiast! Posts: 6 Joined: Sep 21^st, 2010	Re: Krag ID Reply #1 - Sep 22^nd, 2010 at 12:33am	Print Post
	Left side


	IP Logged

Lorren KCA Forum Member Offline Krag Enthusiast! Posts: 6 Joined: Sep 21^st, 2010	Re: Krag ID Reply #2 - Sep 22^nd, 2010 at 12:34am	Print Post
	Right side


	IP Logged

Lorren KCA Forum Member Offline Krag Enthusiast! Posts: 6 Joined: Sep 21^st, 2010	Re: Krag ID Reply #3 - Sep 22^nd, 2010 at 12:35am	Print Post
	Left side receiver


	IP Logged

knute KCA Forum Member Offline Krag Enthusiast! Posts: 51 Location: Freeport, IL Joined: Jul 2^nd, 2010 Gender:	Re: Krag ID Reply #4 - Sep 22^nd, 2010 at 1:08am	Print Post
	The experts have yet to reply, and I say that respectfully. But I'll give it a stab. The stock looks to be original, although altered. The barrel band keeper appears authentic, but the barrel band probably needs to be flipped around so that the "U" is on the right side. The slings swivels wouldn't be original, either. Pull the butt pad off and see if there are any holes for storing a cleaning rod. This could give you further indication of it being an original stock. The barrel could be a replacement explaining the 3xxx and the front sight that doesn't appear original. And there also appears to be file marks on the left side of the reciever that could explain why there are no markings that would give us the best clue of the model and perhaps more if the serial number was still there. Maybe you could do a little metallurgical forensics and see if any of the original stampings can somehow be seen. It seems as though somebody years ago wanted to disguise this rifles military lineage.


	IP Logged

Dick Hosmer KCA Official Member Offline Collector of Springfield Arms, 1865-1915 Posts: 1862 Location: Northern California Joined: Nov 20^th, 2005 Gender:	Re: Krag ID Reply #5 - Sep 22^nd, 2010 at 2:15am	Print Post
	Generally, I agree with knute. IMHO, it is a worked-over M1899 carbine. There would be no rod groove in the stock, which I believe to be original - ditto the barrel. In my opinion, the number was not done by SA Have NO clue as to the very crude finish on the receiver and barrel. I THINK I can make out traces of what once said Model 189? There's a funny pattern/grain to the metal - I would not rule out a fire, which some one tried to cover up by removing the scale. If it were mine, I'd be real leery about shooting it much, if at all. Krags were not deep-hardened. Once the "skin" has been disturbed, the part is weakened.


	WWW IP Logged

Lorren KCA Forum Member Offline Krag Enthusiast! Posts: 6 Joined: Sep 21^st, 2010	Re: Krag ID Reply #6 - Sep 22^nd, 2010 at 2:52am	Print Post
	Well that is interesting! As far as the stock, there is an indention on top of the stock where the original butt plate was removed. I agree, it is probably original, but maybe altered. I'll have to take the replacement off and see what I can find under it. The marks in the metal is interesting too. It also looked to me like someone removed or ground the outer layer off. If you can see the Model 189? your eyes are better than mine. Did many people remove the original markings? I got this from an aunt after an uncle died. He used it for elk hunting, I guess for years. I've had it for at least 25 years and have shot it some. If the outer layer of steel is removed will that weaken it to the point of being dangerous (and I know there are many varibles here)? I do appreciate the help! Thanks, Lorren


	IP Logged

Dick Hosmer KCA Official Member Offline Collector of Springfield Arms, 1865-1915 Posts: 1862 Location: Northern California Joined: Nov 20^th, 2005 Gender:	Re: Krag ID Reply #7 - Sep 22^nd, 2010 at 1:48pm	Print Post
	So far as the lettering is concerned, I know EXACTLY where to look, and if I squint, with my 72-year old eyes, I THINK I can see traces - nothing clear mind you, it's 90% faith - but I still see something! Did people "normally" remove such markings? - NO, they did NOT, and I believe such mutilation to be quite illegal at the Federal level. THAT could be the source of the 3xxx number (which, by the way, I cannot see!) having been added, probably by a gunsmith, as an alternate identifier. Another POSSIBILITY is that the gun was once stolen - MANY years ago - and the party tried to erase the marks of Government ownership? Perhaps your uncle was concerned, and had it marked when he acquired it? As to shooting it, since you and your family have done so, I guess (though I am neither a gunsmith nor a trained metallurgist) that it is "OK". The numbered surface is not where the lockup occurs, and the Krag has that massive rib, so the bolt is never going to come out, but, at the very least I'd wear shooting glasses and stick to occasional use with moderate loads.


	WWW IP Logged

Lorren KCA Forum Member Offline Krag Enthusiast! Posts: 6 Joined: Sep 21^st, 2010	Re: Krag ID Reply #8 - Sep 22^nd, 2010 at 8:53pm	Print Post
	Dick thanks for the help. I guess where the gun came from and what happened to it are forever going to be a mystery! The # on the barrel is under the pink slip. The thought of someone grinding on a perfectly good gun makes me winch. However I guess they had some reason, hope it wasn't stolen and that was the reason. I think you are right about the removal of a serial # on a gun and it is illegal. Untill now, when I saw the NRA article on Krags, I though I had a low serial number Krag! My uncle never was rich and probably got what he though was a good deal on the gun. I'm sure if he thought it was hot he would have turned it down, but its hard to tell where a gun might have been, especially in the 40's or 50's. Thanks for the info!


	IP Logged

Page Index Toggle

Pages: 1

‹ Previous Topic | Next Topic ›

Bookmarks:

del.icio.us

Digg

Google

Google+

reddit

StumbleUpon

Yahoo