It's definiely a sporter, action marked 1897, has the lion and hatchet on the action just below the serial number, and on the bolt.  All s/n's the same, 5xxx, has a whacking great military sight, matching s/n, looking awkward on this rifle, and a ramp front. an absolutely beautiful soft blue job, might be a refinish but a long time ago?
Also has a set trigger that's in beautiful shape.
Barrel military stepped just in front of rear sight.
Major problem is the headspace. Gun shuts on no-go 6.5x55 guage. Checked after bad first shot, of course. Definitely bad chamber.
 
Questions, I guess. Is this a Steyr factory output as a sporter? Was it made by a 'smith somewhere?  And is there a possibility of an altered chamber to something weird? It's definitely 6.5.
I can try setting the bbl back one turn to fix chambering, have reamer and gauges, but would like to know just a little more before starting out. In particular, are the bbls on these Krags set up as hard as the Swedes or '98 German mausers?
Thanks, all, for reading.
Don

THANKS!!!!!!!I could have messed up the whole project!  Trust my ancestors to be gauche. According to the little table in Brophy's book on the American Krag, the serial number falls in the numbers made for commercial use, made in 1897 and numbered between 3001 and 7500. I'll try to get some pix done.
I also have to get the ejector fished out of the action and re pinned, dunno where the pin went!  Hope it is one of the plain type rather than one with the funky head.

Thanks again for the LH thread info, a real gunsaver!!!!!!
Don

The 6.5 x .257 versions are all smaller in diameter than the 6.5x55. I think the 6.5 x .257s came about as conversions for the 6.5 Jap.  Same potential problem as making 7.7 Jap from .30-06 cases.  They mostly got away with it in the 7.7 conversions because the rifle actions are strong.  I would not try to convert the .257 or '06 case for a Norse Krag.

There are a couple of larger European 6.5 cases, but would they function through the magazine?  Or did a Norse Ackley-son get his hands on the rifle?

Regular vs this improved.

Here are some pictures, at least I'll try as attachments, the insert image icon has impenetrable instructions...:

The measurements of the fired Steyr case as compared to an UNFIRED case  are:
just forward of the web, near the incipient case separation, .476 vs. .470; approx. 1/2 way to the beginning of the shoulder, .456 vs. .452, and just at the beginning of the shoulder, .437 vs. .432. I think the reamer was simply out of spec?  The distance from ctg face to beginning of shoulder is 1.747 for each case.
The other pictures do not show well that the muzzle end has been cut right at the beginning of the front sight ramp and filed flat, recrowned.

Does anyone know if NOS bbls are available? I did find some for the Swedes on epay, actually installed one that worked well.

Hope you enjoy the pics.
Don

That is a beautifully done 'sporterized' military rifle. The workmanship definitely appears European (Norwegian) and of good quality.

It would be good to have a 'chamber cast' made, to make sure it was not altered for a different cartridge.

Wow! That was close to being a bomb!

For a real challenge, it would make a very interesting .22 rimfire.