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Is this a special model of 1898 KRAG rifle? (Read 3447 times)
Makinster
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Is this a special model of 1898 KRAG rifle?
Oct 25th, 2011 at 10:50pm
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Is this a special model of 1898 KRAG rifle?


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This is a model 1898 KRAG rifle (serial number 482554 mfg:1904) that someone cut down.  The rifle barrel measures 22-3/4 inches long from bolt face.  The muzzle protrudes 3-1/6 inches beyond the front barrel band/bayonet lug.  The wood has been cut off even with the front end of the barrel band. 


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The end diameter of what I suspect is the original barrel appears to have been turned to accommodate a 1903 front sight, which is held on the end of the barrel by a set screw through the underside of the band.  The sight blade is secured by a pin peened over like a rivet.  The remainder of the rifle appears to be original.


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It’s a neat short rifle just as it is, with a bore that is in near-excellent condition.  I cannot trace its history; the previous owner had it for some time and does not recall just when or how he came to own it.  It was in its present configuration when he obtained it.  He remembers taking an elk with it long ago.

I know that there exist some special Krag models crafted from existing rifles.  Could this be one of them?  Or is this just another “Bannerman Beauty”?  I would appreciate any information anyone could provide.  MAK

  
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tanker
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Re: Is this a special model of 1898 KRAG rifle?
Reply #1 - Oct 25th, 2011 at 10:58pm
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The front sight certainly looks like a Bannerman treatment. Is there any visible cartouche on the stock?
  
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Makinster
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Re: Is this a special model of 1898 KRAG rifle?
Reply #2 - Oct 25th, 2011 at 11:21pm
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Yes - but nothing definitive, just the ghost of the corner of the box... and then the light has to be perfect.  Just enough for me to say: "yes, it's a GI stock"!
  
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waterman
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Re: Is this a special model of 1898 KRAG rifle?
Reply #3 - Oct 28th, 2011 at 6:43am
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I am new on this forum.  If it is a cut-down "GI" Krag rifle stock, the lightening cuts should be readily visible when you take the barreled action out of the stock.
  
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Makinster
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Re: Is this a special model of 1898 KRAG rifle?
Reply #4 - Oct 28th, 2011 at 3:12pm
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I believe this to be a "cut-down" Krag stock.  The fore-end of the stock has long deep "lightening" slots milled down into the wood.
I have an original 1898 Krag rifle in excellent condition.  I lay it and this one side-by-side, and the only differences are those on the muzzle end; the "shortening".
MAK
  
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barqs19
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Re: Is this a special model of 1898 KRAG rifle?
Reply #5 - Jun 20th, 2012 at 6:24pm
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I was told the DCM did this back in the 20s when they ran out of carbines which were more popular than the rifles.
  
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tanker
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Re: Is this a special model of 1898 KRAG rifle?
Reply #6 - Jun 20th, 2012 at 6:49pm
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Appears to me like a Bannerman/Stokes or DCM cut down. The "special" Krag you speak of is commonly called the Schools rifle and was in fact an original length carbine with an altered rifle stock. Additionally, the end of the muzzle was turned down to accommodate a Krag bayonet. The incorrect barrel length and banded front sight are the most recognizable discrepancies.
  
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