Hello everyone.  I just acquired an 1898 Krag.  I believe it is a rifle cut down and in a carbine stock.  Serial # is 97291.  That should put it comfortably out of carbine territory.  The stock does look like a carbine, though.  The receiver has been drilled with 4 holes for, I think, a weaver mount.  It is missing the rear sight and upper hand guard.  I don't think its worth it to buy an authentic sight and hand guard because its already been cut down.  Also, there is a dovetailed semi buckhorn sight where the original would sit.  I think the dovetail is cut over the front screw hole.  The semi buckhorn sight is terrible.  What sight options do I have?  Is it worth drifting the buckhorn and trying to add a krag sight or use the side scope mount?  Thanks.

The serial # you gave should be a model 96.  Four equally spaced holes could be for an old Williams Mount.  I just sold one!  Initially Williams used the same mount that fits on the Remington 8 and 81.  They later changed to one with three holes for the Krag.  They no longer make their side mounts!  Two and two grouped together could be for a Weaver mount as you said.  Put a scope on it if you can find the right mount.  Good for accuracy testing of loads, and if you're getting up there like most of us here, it helps to be able to see what you're shooting at!  With the scope, you'll have a way to shoot it while you contemplate what to do about the sight.

Sure looks like a model 1896. See how the base of the bolt handle rests in a bed of metal in the receiver. You won't see that in an 1898. Also, the metal is distorted near the end of the stamped 1896. The top of the six may have been pulled down during this distortion making it look like an eight.

Well holly smokes!  I see what you are talking about.  I was also looking at the serial # chart wrong.  I was keyed up on 98's and didn't even look at the 96's made in 98. 


Seeing where the rear sight is, do you think the barrel was shortened from the chamber end?  I have heard that has been done.

'quietriot' -Welcome to the KCA Forum.

As others have indicated, your Krag was built as a model 1896 rifle, (around March to May of 1898).

It is not uncommon for the stamped "model 1896" to look like model 1898.

There are differences in the 1896 and 1898 actions, most notable in the 'bolt-handle area'.

Your stock is a model 1899 carbine stock that has been altered, around the bolt-handle notch, to accept the model 1896 action.

Your barrel may actually be a Krag carbine barrel. Your front sight base appears correct. Krag carbine barrels measure 22 inches exactly, from the muzzle to the closed bolt-face.

A lot of Krags got put together from mixed parts by surplus dealers, like Bannerman's and Stokes Kirk, back in the 1920's and 30's. Carbine length arms were preferred by sportsmen.

If you cannot find an original rear-sight screw-hole on your barrel, it may have been filled with a screw that was cut and filed flush.

Your action is missing its magazine cut-off lever. This can add some roughness to cartridge feed.
Your stock appears to have a crack in the wrist area, starting near the rear trigger-guard screw.

Your action appears drilled and tapped for a Weaver side-mount. A version is still available. The Krag uses the Number-2 base and 1 inch-rings #49350. This mount positions the scope slightly offset to the left, which is necessary for 'clean' ejection. The scope will also interfere with moving an original Krag safety-lever to the 'Safe' position.

Another good sight option is the (discontinued) Pacific and Redfield "No-Drill" Receiver sights that show up on ebay, periodically.

Both the Pacific and Redfield sights required that the Krag magazine cut-off be removed.

The Pacific sights have a shaft that slips into the cut-off hole. A normally 'hidden' set-screw locks the sight base to the receiver. The slide on the Pacific is easily removed to allow Bolt removal. A set-screw on the slide allows easy return to the sighted-in position.

The Redfield sight has a 'claw' that hooks into the cut-off shaft opening and a longer 'replacement' side-plate screw to hold the sight base in place. If the sight slide is fully raised, the bolt is easily removed. A set screw on the slide allows return to sighted-in position.

The Redfield system can leave a rough spot in the feed path; there is an easy fix.

Both companies made a micrometer version of their sight. These are more expensive and clumsy for bolt removal.

More info.  The barrel is exactly 22 inches long measured from bolt face to muzzle.  I can't find a "C" on the sight.  There is something that may be a "C" but its too worn to be sure.  I can't seem to get a good picture of it.
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Here is an up close of the sight dovetail. 
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I want to drift the rear sight off and replace it with a Pacific Gun Sight model that uses the cutoff hole and a screw.  I'm having trouble locating one.  Does anyone have one for sale or know where to look?  There is a Redfield hunting sight on eBay.  Are those just as good?  The one I'm looking at doesn't have a screw.  Is that a deal breaker?

OK, No "C" on either side of front sight. 
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EDIT: There MAY be a "C" on the left side but so hard to read I'll say no.