A couple of 1898 side-plates showing the sharp lower edge and the smooth interior finish.

That is not a shadow.  It has been ground as you said.  I've tried to get an end on picture of both the 98 and 96 sideplate, but I have been letdown by either technology or technique so far (possibly both).

I cannot (and will not) say that this wasn't a ceremonial rifle.  The bore is shiny dark with some pitting in it.  But not nearly as bad pitting as some known ceremonial rifles I've seen.  And I've had rifles that were more pitted than this that shot well - so if the throat isn't burnt out I have high hopes.  The muzzle measures just over 4 on the gauge I use for my Garands.  Not sure if this is a proper measurement device for Krags but .300 diameter is .300 diameter right?

I am also fairly confident, given the evidence and your expertise, that this is a 98 sideplate someone has worked over.  In a quick look, didn't see anyone advertising a 96 sideplate and for something this particular, wouldn't trust just any part supplier.  Ideas?

I also checked the spring pressure of one of my 98s with the sideplate removed.  An 'inginiir' would say that the 96 is about 2 or 3 smidgens less than the 98 'but close enough for govmint work'.

As always - thanks!

Drug the other 2 of my 1898s (1 rifle, 1 carfle) out of the back of the safe since they were due for their annual BLO bath.  I had to examine both the sideplates since I had them out.  Surprisingly enough, none of them would feed the 2nd round when mounted on the 1896.

Also mic'd them and all were pretty much the same. But I didn't have any doubts the information already received wasn't right.  But what else do you do when you're trying to learn?  Where exactly is the 96 sideplate thinner than the 98 sideplate?

Surprisingly, the spring tension on these two was greater than on the 96 and the first 98 rifle I compared it to.

Thanks.....

Wouldn't feed the second round.  Do they pop up to proper position?  We're going to be talking different rifles, but one of my 92/96 rifles that has a 96 sideplate will occasionally hang up with cases that are neck sized only.  Guess there's just enough of a difference in the shoulder diameter, and the thickness of the sideplate to wedge them between receiver and sideplate.  Two cures for mine.  Put a 92 sideplate on, or full length size cases that will be used for rapid fire.

Well, not a good guess on my part then.  On to another thing I've ran into.  If you have a 98 follower in there, it might hang up on the top of the magazine well.  Actually any follower might hang up depending on the bend someone might have put on the arbor, the post on the front end.

Bob, I've been following this thread and decided to take a closer look at one of my '98 Krag sporters to see how it feeds.  I laid my rifle on its left side and opened the magazine door.  I inserted 4 cartridges and put just a bit of finger pressure on the last catridge while cycling the bolt.  They all picked up and fed smoothly.
My point is that by using gentle finger pressure if there was a hang-up I'd be able to see and feel where it's happening.  Will yours feed if only using finger pressure instead of closing the magazine door?  If not, you might be able to find the rub.  If they do feed, there could be follower issues here.
By the way, mine is able to feed 150gr SP Spitzers.
One more thing, from reading your earlier thread I couldn't tell if you ended up actually removing your cut-off lever and cleaning any gunk out of the hole.  Any burr or hardened grease in that area could be causing the cartridge to hesitate.

Gunboat57:  I have not been able to get around to disassembling the cutoff.  That will be another project for the weekend when the weatherman 'assures' me we'll have nice and warm weather that will allow me to spend quality time out in the garage.  We had some this last weekend but the dog demanded we go downtown, drink coffee and watch the tourists from up north run around half dressed.  That will be done along with Magazine cover removal and clean up.

Madsenshooter:  Interesting that the longer of the followers bind and not the shorter of them.  Logic (not always applicable to all things mechanical) would tend to be the opposite of the results you had.

Thanks again for ALL the help and effort in helping me solve my problem.