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Looking to purchase first Krag and need advice (Read 6381 times)

LacedaemonianXI KCA Forum Member Offline Krag Enthusiast! Posts: 9 Joined: Sep 26^th, 2016	Looking to purchase first Krag and need advice Sep 26^th, 2016 at 6:18am	Print Post
	Hey all New here and I'm looking to purchase my first Krag and am looking for some advice. I would like to obtain a rifle that is as original as I can get while still being able to be fired and used as a shooter. I don't really mind it being refinished since I want to shoot it and I'm not looking to dish out the thousands a mint Krag can cost. Not a collector and don't want a wall hanger. Just want a nice but original shooter. Not sporterized. I was wondering what you guys who have been in the Krag game for awhile thought about this one I found on GB. From what I can gather as a rookie its a Model 1892 that has been converted into an 1896. The refinishing is beautiful and looks like it would be a great shooter. Are the parts right for a converted 1892? The sights look to be 1896 and although the cartouche is barely visible I think I can make out a stylized JSA. What does the P mean? Is the refinishing part of the 1896 conversion or from an arsenal? What would be a good price for the rifle? Thanks in advance for the info. I plan on buying a book and doing the research but I don't want to pass up what looks to be a pretty cool rifle.


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LacedaemonianXI KCA Forum Member Offline Krag Enthusiast! Posts: 9 Joined: Sep 26^th, 2016	Re: Looking to purchase first Krag and need advice Reply #1 - Sep 26^th, 2016 at 6:18am	Print Post
	(You need to *Login* to view media files and links) Link to the rifle


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FredC KCA Official Member Offline Krag Enthusiast! Posts: 759 Location: Dewees, Texas Joined: May 31^st, 2013 Gender:	Re: Looking to purchase first Krag and need advice Reply #2 - Sep 26^th, 2016 at 1:24pm	Print Post
	The rifle is certainly "pretty". By doing all the polishing and bluing the collectors value has been diminished. In my opinion a Krag should have a worn case hardening with all the battle scars. I see the bids are getting up there, so there may be a market for highly finished Krags also. If you are buying a Krag to enjoy and you like the non collector finish, I guess whatever you pay to make you happy is good. If the bore is as good looking as the outside it could certainly be a pleasure to shoot and enjoy. The regulars will be able to help you with knowledge on sights and parts that have been switched and such.


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LacedaemonianXI KCA Forum Member Offline Krag Enthusiast! Posts: 9 Joined: Sep 26^th, 2016	Re: Looking to purchase first Krag and need advice Reply #3 - Sep 26^th, 2016 at 3:13pm	Print Post
	Ironically that's also the part that I'm hesitant about lol the rifle is almost too pretty! If the parts are original and I'm looking at a legit 1892 conversion that might have seen some action in the Spanish-American War I can look past the refinish. I will probably end up searching for a true collector at some point anyway. I've always thought the Krag was a fascinating weapon system, just have never bit on one yet lol


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Mark_Daiute KCA Forum Member KCA Official Member Offline I love YaBB 1G - SP1! Posts: 242 Location: Newcastle Maine USA Joined: Jul 11^th, 2003 Gender:	Re: Looking to purchase first Krag and need advice Reply #4 - Sep 27^th, 2016 at 2:12am	Print Post
	perfectly honest, righteous Krags are going in the 600 range.


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LacedaemonianXI KCA Forum Member Offline Krag Enthusiast! Posts: 9 Joined: Sep 26^th, 2016	Re: Looking to purchase first Krag and need advice Reply #5 - Sep 27^th, 2016 at 2:18am	Print Post
	Yeah that would be about the ceiling for what I would pay for this particular rifle. All the research I've done has led me to believe this rifle is accurate and original besides the refinish.


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MPF KCA Forum Member Offline Can dead men vote twice at Easter? Posts: 60 Location: S.F. Bay Area Joined: Aug 2^nd, 2014 Gender:	Re: Looking to purchase first Krag and need advice Reply #6 - Sep 27^th, 2016 at 3:07am	Print Post
	Don't discount the finish as a component of value. The previous reply pointed out that original rifles can be had for $600 +/-. To my mind a refinished rifle is like a restorable sporterized. It can be made right at some cost whether that is money or just time, and it probably will never be as valuable as it would if it was unmolested and unrestored. Unless there is something else about it like a rare rear sight, or the S/N is a hit on SRS the finish would be a deal breaker at a "retail" price. This coming from the guy with several "less than pristine" examples in his safe.


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LacedaemonianXI KCA Forum Member Offline Krag Enthusiast! Posts: 9 Joined: Sep 26^th, 2016	Re: Looking to purchase first Krag and need advice Reply #7 - Sep 27^th, 2016 at 3:22am	Print Post
	I think I may be trying to kill two birds with one stone and that may be harder than I thought it would be lol I want a mostly original rifle, as in original and correct parts, but in the condition that will allow me to handle and shoot the rifle. I definitely don't want a wall hanger since that defeats the purpose of the rifle to me. I want to be able to take it out and have fun while also retaining the historical value and uniqueness of the Krag. The listing that I posted appeals to me because I feel as though I'm finding the best possible example of that. A correct and original rifle that has been refinished to be a great shooter. What I'm trying to say is my greatest concern has become that the rifle parts are original and correct for the weapon. I've been doing research since I came across this rifle and from what I've found it is. I was just seeing if somebody more experienced in Krags could confirm that for me. The best thing about those less than pristine rifles are that they come with a whole lot of character! lol


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psteinmayer KCA Forum Member Offline Krag Enthusiast! Posts: 2391 Location: Ypsilanti, Michgan Joined: Aug 30^th, 2011 Gender:	Re: Looking to purchase first Krag and need advice Reply #8 - Sep 27^th, 2016 at 11:03am	Print Post
	In my humble opinion, it's a nice looking "Restored" Krag that would be great for shooting, both fun shooting and in registered Vintage Rifle matches. If that is what you are after, and the price remains reasonable, then I say go for it. If the price starts getting up there (above $700) then I'd pass, as decent "Original Condition" Krags can be had for that price, and are absolutely competitive shooters too! Unfortunately, many times, people refinish their Krags in the hope that it will be considered a museum quality weapon that would command a higher price... but the prudent collector would discount this as the collectability is destroyed.


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LacedaemonianXI KCA Forum Member Offline Krag Enthusiast! Posts: 9 Joined: Sep 26^th, 2016	Re: Looking to purchase first Krag and need advice Reply #9 - Sep 27^th, 2016 at 6:54pm	Print Post
	I appreciate your opinion and post! I ended up winning it for $631. A little above what I wanted it for (didn't want to go above 600) but I got a little too excited lol I agree with you and I think this is gonna be a perfect shooter! I actually like the fact that it's a converted 1892 model, adds character to it lol I appreciate everyone's opinions and help from your posts!


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Parashooter KCA Forum Member Offline Kragmudgeon Posts: 514 Location: Connecticut Joined: Feb 4^th, 2010	Re: Looking to purchase first Krag and need advice Reply #10 - Sep 27^th, 2016 at 7:32pm	Print Post
	"Used Condition FFL is required" Did they really require an FFL to ship this clearly antique arm?


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LacedaemonianXI KCA Forum Member Offline Krag Enthusiast! Posts: 9 Joined: Sep 26^th, 2016	Re: Looking to purchase first Krag and need advice Reply #11 - Sep 27^th, 2016 at 8:28pm	Print Post
	Parashooter I had thought the exact same thing when I first looked at the auction. I may be wrong, and someone else might be able to better explain, but after I did some research on it apparently if a certain percentage of the rifle is refinished it is no longer able to be classified as an antique and must be transferred through an FFL. Again that was just what I gathered from some basic research into the topic.


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LacedaemonianXI KCA Forum Member Offline Krag Enthusiast! Posts: 9 Joined: Sep 26^th, 2016	Re: Looking to purchase first Krag and need advice Reply #12 - Sep 27^th, 2016 at 8:48pm	Print Post
	I emailed the seller inquiring about this. They even have it posted under the firearm shipping policies on GB 'Antique' firearms need not be shipped to a licensed dealer. These can be shipped directly to the buyer. An antique firearm is a firearm built in or before 1898, or a replica thereof. The exact ATF definition of an antique firearm is: Antique firearm. (a) Any firearm (including any firearm with a matchlock, flintlock, percussion cap, or similar type of ignition system) manufactured in or before 1898; and (b) any replica of any firearm described in paragraph (a) of this definition if such replica (1) is not designed or redesigned for using rimfire or conventional centerfire fixed ammunition, or (2) uses rimfire or conventional centerfire fixed ammunition which is no longer manufactured in the United States and which is not readily available in the ordinary channels of commercial trade.


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madsenshooter KCA Forum Member Offline Krag Enthusiast! Posts: 1079 Joined: Sep 10^th, 2009	Re: Looking to purchase first Krag and need advice Reply #13 - Sep 28^th, 2016 at 7:15pm	Print Post
	A lot of the FFLs have the guns on their books, and get all excited about nothing. All they have to do is enter "sold as antique" in their bound book, case closed. There's no good reason for you to have to go through and pay another dealer, no reason for a background check either. By the way, it appears your purchase has had the barrel free floated, like one of my 92/96s has had done. I'll bet it will be a very accurate shooter.


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LacedaemonianXI KCA Forum Member Offline Krag Enthusiast! Posts: 9 Joined: Sep 26^th, 2016	Re: Looking to purchase first Krag and need advice Reply #14 - Sep 29^th, 2016 at 5:46pm	Print Post
	Madsenshooter they emailed me back and told me they had made an error listing it must be shipped through an FFL. They will be shipping it directly to me. I don't think I've ever been more excited to take a rifle out to the range! Can't wait to get a crack at this thing.


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