Just recently acquired a model 1896 from my father after it sat in his cabinet for 25 years and he finally decided it should do something.  I believe it hasn't been sporterized, it's roughly 49"long and the barrel is roughly 30", can't give more exact measurements right now because my 1 yr old thinks its fun to grab the tape measure while I'm trying to read it.  Am I correct in assuming its unmodified?

My second question is that stamp on the stock, was that normal?  I know from the serials it was produced in 1898 but it is a 1896 model (with a 1901 sight though).

Final question is I'd like to put a scope on this for deer hunting this fall, but from what I've seen i can only do a 3"rail without doing any permanent modifications to the gun.  Is that correct?  I don't want to ruin the gun being original and all so that limits my options for a scope if that's the case.

As of right now without much practice I'm holding roughly a 4 inch group at 100 yards but I rarely use iron sights so i think thats mostly the shooter.  If i have to I'll put more rounds through to get a better feel

I'd love to get some more information on this gun as its a beauty to shoot, thank you all

gopher:  Welcome to the KCA forum.  That looks like a pretty nice Model 1896 Krag you have.  The serial number of your rifle would help in providing more information.  Model 1896 Krags were built until early July, 1898, and Model 1898 rifles started around #109,000.  The 'Cartouche date' on your stock is when the completed arm was accepted into service.  You probably don't want to subject this original looking rifle to Hunting use and scope mounting.  IMHO  (I took the liberty of lightening up your photo).

Trade ya 3 deer rifles for that clumsy old war horse!  LOL

I have used a 3x7 LER scope with the Kraghaus 3" mount.  The scope is cheap enough on ebay to be disposable, but for the most part, works well.  First group I shot with the combination was a 2000fps 168gr cast load that put 12/13 into less than an inch at around 70yds!  Be sure to get the screws really tight, and use loc-tite.