I am the proud new custodian of an 1898 Krag I just received from the CMP. It is in what I consider to be very good condition for a rfile that is about 110 yrs old. She'll be cleaned, maintained, and shot on a regular basis, then someday, be passed along to one of my 3 sons for further enjoyment.

But right now, I need to learn about the Krag. Can anyone point me to a reference book or website where I can learn to properly detail strip a Krag? I just don't want to make a rookie mistake and bugger something up.

Thanks!

Steve

A few more...
(You need to Login to view media files and links)

(You need to Login to view media files and links)

(You need to Login to view media files and links)

(You need to Login to view media files and links)

Footsoldier:  I hope your 1898 Krag has a decent bore.  I am sorry the stock was broke (in shipping?).  I would go after Fedex and have them pay for an expert stock repair!  I was amazed, looking at your pictures, what a nice and apparently correct 1901 Cartouched rifle you received from the CMP.  Your Stock by the way appears to be one of the 33,000 Italian Walnut Stocks that Springfield purchased in 1899 from the Windmuller & Roelker Firm (NYC).  I'm sure the CMP would try to make good on the damaged rifle you received, but it is unlikely you would get another as nice.  Your serial # does not show up clearly in your photo.  If we could know the number, you might get a lot more information.  The Joe Poyer book, "The American Krag Rifle and Carbine" is a good and inexpensive ($20) start in learning about Krags.  The old NRA Assembly Handbook article by E. J. Hoffschmidt is a good guide for field-stripping a Krag.  (If you contact me with an address, I'll mail you a copy).

FootSoldier:  Your CMP Krag was probably built in May of 1901.  If Fedex will help pay for expert repair, I would have it repaired.  There is no telling what a replacement stock would look like (painted white, cut down?).  That 1901 'Cartouched' stock has probably been on your Krag since 1901!  The grain in your stock and hand-guard appear to be Italian Walnut (and not the usual Black Walnut).  I would check with an expert wood worker on the feasibility of a good repair.

reincarnated wrote on Jul 13^th, 2012 at 8:42pm:


If you don't mind my asking, who did the work? I am trying to find somebody I can talk to.

Thanks!

I might be off my rocker here... but to me, something looks odd about that serial number.  The rest of the receiver markings are clear in the picture, but the serial is not...  Also, the alignment of the serial number is not aligned with the remainder of the stampings (i.e. slightly lower than "Model 1898.  Springfield Armory").  I have never seen a Krag where the alignment and clarity of the stampings was inconsistent... do they exist?  It just looks strange to me, but I'm certainly no expert...

Turned out good, the CMP came through bigtime and I am one happy camper!

(You need to Login to view media files and links)

(You need to Login to view media files and links)

And she shoots pretty good to boot!
(You need to Login to view media files and links)

They let me keep the broken stock too.