'KRAG30': It is really neat that you have a Krag that was used by your GGF for 'Hunting'. Sometimes, handed down family stories are accurate and sometimes, they get mixed up. It use to be believed that Krags stayed in the U.S.A. for Training during WW1. Now, it is appreciated that some Krags went to Europe and saw some secondary use with Engineers and Railway Guards.
Your GGF's Model 1898 Krag, (#423627), was built around November, 1902. Your Stock's '1902 Acceptance Cartouche' is a nice match. Pre-WW1, the 1901 rear-sight was the preferred sight for Krags in the hands of Regular U.S. Troops, due to its similarity to the 1903 Springfield's rear sight. However, your GGF's Krag was unofficially altered. This destroys its collector value, but, the family connection makes it 'priceless' to you. Enjoy, shoot and hunt with it!
Most Krags did not get into private hands until the 1920s, when they were sold off by the Director of Civilian Marksmanship. The DCM eventually was selling Krags for as little as $1.50. This was a real boon to American Hunters and Shooters. A whole industry developed of providing aftermarket sights and gunsmith services. A lot of Krags were altered by their owners. Cutting down Stocks & Barrels to Carbine length, 'stepping' and re-crowning the barrel for a surplus 1903 Springfield front-sight were common practices. A 30 inch barrel and bayonet were useless for most sporting uses, so turning Krags into lighter and handier rifles continued on into the 1950s and 60s.
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