While your Model 1898 Krag was originally quite similar to those used in the Spanish-American war, its serial number and the year 1901 below the acceptance initials (JSA) point to production after the war had ended.

I know what you mean. The Poyer book is not infallible; but, for a mere $20 it will take a person off the street who knows nothing about Krags and give him a "high school diploma".

If you want an "MS" in Krags, get Mallory and Brophy. That will cost you $150 to $200 more. The info is slightly more accurate (let's say there are fewer egregious and/or careless errors) but the pictures are much better. Brophy had a much larger production budget than Mallory, so you need his photographs to see what Mallory was talking about.

A Krag PhD will require the book(s) that are yet to be written. They will provide a great deal of well-deserved personal satisfaction to the author, but, unless reasonably priced, will probably not see wide circulation. Which, if I understand him only a teensy bit, will not bother said author in the least! 

Just my $.02 worth.

P. Armstrong wrote on Oct 10^th, 2011 at 4:40am:


Cheaper to buy one.  The sights all have specific hand-guards with the hand-guards costing more than the sights.  If your rifle retains the hand-guard you'll want to match that.  If you're missing both you'd be well advised to shop for a hand-guard and match that, not vice versa, as the hand-guards get more than the sights.  1901 or 1902 would be fine.  Pictures of the models are off the main page under photos.

[ Quote:


Not sure it's either/or.  An abridged free web edition would suffice for most needs.  A "pocket book" would work better perhaps but not something I'd do.  I'll have the photos from the full thing as well as the data digitized.  Wouldn't take much effort to post that as the work will already be done for the paper.

Not something I need to deal with yet.

Speaking of which, and I hate suggesting other people do work, there is nothing stopping the KCA from expanding the photo section to cover the basics.  It'd make the KCA the go to site for Krags.
 

It'll be under my own name.  Farmer the Joe.

No, it won't be the last word.  Everybody focuses on the SRS as Mallory's significant work but I think there was more value in printing the SA reports.  Similarly Brophy's '03 work is downright epic - more so than his Krag work.

What they had to build on was "very little" which makes their works more impressive.  I have the advantage of having their books to ensure I don't assert something stupid.  I'll also have the first two sets I'm doing which expand the source material available greatly.  Kind of a sad thought in some ways.  The first set, akin to Mallory's printing of SA's reports, will be simple transcription of a set of rare ordnance books which most are unaware of.  That set, in spite of being the least amount of work, may hold the most value.  The second set is simply more background but that will represent the most work on my part.  The Krag book is just the result of the second set and my own personal interest.

I'll have the first and second set to assist me.  Others will have all three and should be able to better the Krag work at some point.  At least I hope so.  I'm just going to make it sporting.

Won't be for a while.  The pile is big and the candles few.

Pat Armstrong:  Apparently, Farmer the Joe (5MadFarmers) is an author.  Unfortunately, some of your question(s) got lost in our banter.  Barrel length is properly measured by inserting a cleaning rod from the muzzle until it stops against the closed bolt.  Mark the rod with a marker or piece of tape at the muzzle.  Remove the rod and measure from the tip to your mark.  Original length barrels will be 22 inches (Carbine) or 30 inches (Rifle) with a front sight stud neatly brazed to the barrel.  (There is also a very rare 26 inch barrel for the Board of Ordnance and Fortifications rifle).  Many Krag barrels have been shorten to make hunting rifles.  Commercial and various banded front sights typically give these away.  Posted photos of your rifle will get you a lot of info. and suggestions.  Does your stock extend to near the muzzle with a front barrel-band with bayonet lug or is it carbine length ending in a tappered wood tip inches in front of the rear barrel band?  Do you have a wooden hand guard on the top of your barrel with an opening where the rear sight would mount on the barrel?  These questions have a relevance as to the proper rear sight for your Krag.  Charles McArthur