Is there a source for a sideplate scope mount for my 1898 sporter?  My youngest daughter will be huntimg with me this year and she may not be able to utilize the peep sights on the carbine.  Google and a search here haven't turned up anything useful.   

The very well done sporter does have 2 holes in the sideplate for what I assume is a scope mount.  I'll try to get some pictures posted.   

So apparently Ihave made an assumption of evidence NOTin fact.  I can only assme that from the lack of response from those much more knowledgable than I, that the two holes in the sideplate are not for a scope moun/  Also, no amount of searching turned up anything of the like. 

So, what are the two holes likely for?  A member on the Cmp forum thought he remembered that the Cmpsold older drill rifles with those two holes.  He wasn't sure what they wold be for though. 

If my daughter needs a scope, we can try the rear sight mounted LERscope.  More than likely Iwould just get her another rifle.  This rifle really needs to be hunted with though. 

The link to the photograph is to the whole album of pictures.  Iwas really exited to find this one even though Ihave never been a sporter kind of shooter.  This one was so nice.  Although the metal was reblued, and the sideplate has those two extra holes, the main metal is untouched.  Normal Krag front sight, no rear sight.  and a Redfield no drill peep sight.  It does need a smaller aperature though. 

Odd, but the serial number is in the range of Krag Carbines.  Isuspect it was re-barrelled when it was sporterized though.  Ihold no hopes that it was an original carbine.  Though it could be brought back to millitary trim.  At some significan expense. 

I'd be interested in your opinions on the carbine and any thoughts on what the two holes in the sideplate are for.

Thanks for the welcome.  I have been a member for several years, I just don't post much.  I visit here a lot though. 

She hasn't shot it yet.  It was actually a lark that she is going hunting with me this year.  I put her in the draw to increase my odds of getting drawn.  In Arizona you can put up to 4 people on your submission and if any are drawn, all are drawn.  She hasn't shown any interest in hunting since she was very young, but when Iasked her if she would go, she said yes.  The big advantage are her eyes are much better than mine. 

That said, I'll get her to shoot it in the next week or two.  The drawback to using the peep sight is that, I think it will limit her range.  And where we hunt in the desert, getting within 100 yards is pretty lucky.  Most deer are spotted at long range and there isn't a lot of cover to make a stalk.  I'm not sure she will be able to stretch it to 200 yards, even with a scope.  We'll just have to see how this one works out. For al I know now, she may like the peep sight jsut the way it is.   Just to have her with me for that week would be worth it to me. 

As far as the carbine is concerned this is the first sporter that I own.  The only other sporter was a 1903A3 in a sporter stock that I put back to millitary configuration.  It is my competition bolt gun now.  For the price I couldn't pass this one up.  The sight alone was worth nearly half what I paid for the carbine. 

Thanks again. 

As far as the screws go, that might be an issue with this carbine.  It doesn't feed real reliably.  Though I haven't really researched the issue yet.  I have been reading that when the magazine cutoff is removed, as on this carbine, feeding can be an issue and a shortened version of the cutoff (short enough for the peep sight to be installed)  is installed to aid in feeding.  I have not investigated that enough but maybe it is the screws that is giving me the issue.

Hi John,

If you are still intending to put a scope on this for your daughter, Kraghaus makes a 3" and 6" utility rail that mounts with the original rear sight screws.  The 3" requires no further modification, but the 6" requires drilling and tapping the barrel for a third screw (which is not too difficult if you're careful).  The tradeoff is that you'll need a scout scope due to long eye relief.  Unlike most other rifles, Krags eject almost straight up, which becomes a problem if you mount the scope over the receiver.  So you'll need to either use a offset scope which isn't the most desirable position, or use a long eye relief scope, which works reasonably well.   

Here's the link:  (You need to Login to view media files and links)

I use this mount and a long eye relief scope on one of my Krags, and this is my Cast Bullet competition rig.  The web site recommends letting a professional gunsmith perform the installation, but anyone with competent mechanical skills with good drills and taps can do this.

Thanks for the replies.  We are planning a trip to the range this Sunday.  I'll bring the Krag, Model 8 in 30 Rem, Win 1894 in 32 Special, and my other daughters Remington 700 in 270.  It is the only one with a scope.  I ditched my hunting rifles when my other daughter stopped hunting.  That $330 big Box Store special shoots better than anything I have ever owned. 

I will not drill the Krag.  If we decide that the Krag is the one and it needs a scope, I'll go with the Kraghause mount.  I already own a pretty decent LER scope. 

The carbine has no part of a cutoff installed  i hate to remove the peep sight to install one but will have to .

Thamks Butler

I don't mind getting a replacement cut off and modifying it.  And the peep doesn't have a zero yet.  So installing a modified cut off should not be an issue.  I prefer to not remove screws if at all possible. 

But alas the youngest is enamored with her sisters Rem 700.  It looks like if I want the Krag hunted with this year I will have to carry it.  Of all the other options she liked the Krag over the Win 94 or the model 8.  But she liked the Rem 700 in 270 best.  And she performed best with it this morning.