Page Index Toggle Pages: 1 Send TopicPrint
Rear sight on 1898 Springfield (Read 4052 times)
Dewman
KCA Forum Member
*
Offline


Krag Enthusiast!

Posts: 3
Location: Hamilton, Ohio
Joined: Nov 7th, 2013
Gender: Male
Rear sight on 1898 Springfield
Nov 7th, 2013 at 2:40pm
Print Post  
Can anyone tell me about the rear sight that is on this Springfield that a friend of mine has..
and any other info they might know.

Sorry about the large PICs I edited them down a bit.
  
Back to top
 
IP Logged
 
Dick Hosmer
KCA Official Member
***
Offline


Collector of Springfield
Arms, 1865-1915

Posts: 1862
Location: Northern California
Joined: Nov 20th, 2005
Gender: Male
Re: Rear sight on 1898 Springfield
Reply #1 - Nov 7th, 2013 at 3:38pm
Print Post  
The sights both appear to be homemade (the rear certainly is) and the barrel would seem to have been cut from its' original 30" length. Fortunately, the rear sight looks to have been installed non-invasively, meaning that a more proper sight could be refitted. If that is a US Krag, the barrel band should have NO markings other than a "U" on the right side, at front edge. Below is what an unaltered M1898 rifle should look like. This rifle happens to have a Model 1902 rear sight - other styles also correct, depending on period, but they all have mating handguards and all utilize the same two screw holes.
  
Back to top
WWW  
IP Logged
 
butlersrangers
KCA Forum Member
*
Offline


Krag Enthusiast!

Posts: 6330
Location: Michigan Bi-Peninsular&Proud
Joined: Oct 7th, 2009
Re: Rear sight on 1898 Springfield
Reply #2 - Nov 7th, 2013 at 5:43pm
Print Post  
Dewman:  Dick Hosmer is correct on the rear sight.  Hopefully the brass screws did not distort the original rear sight threads.  Your pictures create a bit of a challenge (too dark and very little area included).  It appears to be a U.S. Krag and the magazine door hinge pin is about 3/8 of an inch out of its proper position.  The barrel band, I think, is European (possibly French Lebel /Berthier or German).  The banded front sight base appears to be greatly modified 1903 Springfield.  It all looks to be a sporterized U.S. Krag = "Deer Rifle".
« Last Edit: Nov 7th, 2013 at 6:45pm by butlersrangers »  
Back to top
 
IP Logged
 
butlersrangers
KCA Forum Member
*
Offline


Krag Enthusiast!

Posts: 6330
Location: Michigan Bi-Peninsular&Proud
Joined: Oct 7th, 2009
Re: Rear sight on 1898 Springfield
Reply #3 - Nov 7th, 2013 at 5:44pm
Print Post  
Front sight:
  
Back to top
 
IP Logged
 
butlersrangers
KCA Forum Member
*
Offline


Krag Enthusiast!

Posts: 6330
Location: Michigan Bi-Peninsular&Proud
Joined: Oct 7th, 2009
Re: Rear sight on 1898 Springfield
Reply #4 - Nov 7th, 2013 at 5:45pm
Print Post  
Barrel band:
  
Back to top
 
IP Logged
 
gunboat57
KCA Forum Member
*
Offline


Krag Enthusiast!

Posts: 220
Location: NW Pa
Joined: Feb 9th, 2013
Gender: Male
Re: Rear sight on 1898 Springfield
Reply #5 - Nov 7th, 2013 at 5:48pm
Print Post  
Hi, Dewman.

The barrel band on that Krag looks like it doesn't belong to that rifle.  Does the other side have what looks like a slotted head screw or is the swivel rivetted on?  Krag rifles have split bands that use a screw to clamp on the single "ear" of the swivel.  The band is held in place by a cross pin in the stock.  The one in your picture looks like it's not split and the swivel has two ears, one on either side of the band.  The cross pin in the stock seems to be missing and the band was just driven on until it was tight.

Edit: Butlersrangers already commented on the barrel band.

Also, it looks like the magazine door hinge pin isn't in all the way.  They can be a pain to re-assemble because you have to squeeze things together while keeping everything aligned.  Maybe somebody with more experience can provide some tricks of the trade for installing that pin.

Could you take a side view picture of the whole rifle and post it?
  

Tom P.
Back to top
 
IP Logged
 
Dewman
KCA Forum Member
*
Offline


Krag Enthusiast!

Posts: 3
Location: Hamilton, Ohio
Joined: Nov 7th, 2013
Gender: Male
Re: Rear sight on 1898 Springfield
Reply #6 - Nov 7th, 2013 at 10:33pm
Print Post  
Thanks everyone for you replies.. 

He will answer me in a day or two. and I hope to get better pictures.

Evan if it is a "Deer Rifle" it should be fun to shoot.
  
Back to top
 
IP Logged
 
Dewman
KCA Forum Member
*
Offline


Krag Enthusiast!

Posts: 3
Location: Hamilton, Ohio
Joined: Nov 7th, 2013
Gender: Male
Re: Rear sight on 1898 Springfield
Reply #7 - Nov 7th, 2013 at 10:45pm
Print Post  
I do have these pictures.. same quality but different parts
  
Back to top
 
IP Logged
 
butlersrangers
KCA Forum Member
*
Offline


Krag Enthusiast!

Posts: 6330
Location: Michigan Bi-Peninsular&Proud
Joined: Oct 7th, 2009
Re: Rear sight on 1898 Springfield
Reply #8 - Nov 8th, 2013 at 1:58am
Print Post  
I like depression era Krag 'Deer Rifles'!  They are fun to shoot.  The Krag you are receiving was originally built in early 1899.
  
Back to top
 
IP Logged
 
Page Index Toggle Pages: 1
Send TopicPrint
Bookmarks: del.icio.us Digg Facebook Google Google+ Linked in reddit StumbleUpon Twitter Yahoo