Hi King Carp,

Let me give you a vague answer..."It depends."

I think people are so "Krag Crazy" these days that slings are not much of a big deal except to the purist.

I've purchased a few carbines that are fully legit but have had slings attached at some point.  Both slings were of the "drill-a-hole-and-screw-them-in" type.

I have since removed the slings and filled in the holes.

I believe if I were to sell them today I would still get what I paid if not more!

Bottom line for me was... I liked the carbines, the price was not out of line and I could fill in the sling holes.

IMHO: I believe many carbines were officially inletted for butt stock slings and had barrel bands with sling swivels attached. However you'd have to make the call on that?

Below is one of the sling hole repairs:

Many of my Krags, rifles and carbines, have had cracks or chips from the long years of use and possible (choke) abuse.

But, wood is very forgiving and there are many different ways to repair and alter these slightly damaged stocks. I have used good wood glue, wood putty and fillers that I have sanded and stained to come close to match the original color and patina. Make note that changes are made as REPAIRS, not to try to deceive that the piece was never damaged and is original. Repairs are repairs but can be done to look nice and still maintain the "collectible" standard that we milsurp (Krag) collectors demand.

The art of "stretching" a cut-down stock is different. It can be and is done to repair a stock to recreate an original length but it permanently removes that firearm stock from the collectible realm. That's where you need a replacement full length stock for that firearm.

Metal repairs to damaged barrels and receivers, though, are completely different. You can make them but filled holes in a receiver where it may have been tapped for a scope mount are considered "unforgivable" to a true collector. I have passed up many Krags that have had holes drilled in them or alterations to the barrel or sights that are not easily correctable. That's just a reality of this kind of pursuit.

All of this is mute when dealing with the sporterized Krag. Almost anything goes for a sporterized change to a Krag, rifle or carbine. I am not a fan of collecting those Krags (although I have two nice ones) but many people are as evidence by the KCA forum category of these firearms. Many are quite artistic and accurate.

So enjoy your Krag in whatever way you can!

Since some carbines were officially altered to have sling swivels, I would be reluctant to remove a swivel and patch this stock area, if the swivel is decently installed on a Krag carbine.
(IMHO - Butt-swivel 'patches' are usually very obvious and an even bigger negative factor. It is better to leave the Krag butt-swivel in place).

IIRC - Kits were sent out by Springfield Armory so this modification could be done by Armorers in the 'Field'. (I imagine there was some variation in swivel placement and workmanship).

In terms of placing a 'value' on such a Krag carbine, that is always very subjective, (from collector to collector), and greatly related to the carbine's overall appeal.

Patching 'unauthorized' wood holes and repairing cracks, gouges, missing wood and stock damage is 'OK', in my book, but, it should always be pointed out if you are selling the arm.
"Repairs" always influence collector value.

I have a similar sounding carbine that I bought and believe may be an Engineer Carbine. It’s tough to tell from the one photo, but it looks like yours could also be an engineer carbine. The rear sling should be inlet rather than screwed on top of the stock and the front band would be a rifle band rather than many sporterized Krags that screwed a swivel in front of the band. A previous member provided some additional information regarding the engineer carbine and the approved rework for active Krags in the field. If it is an engineer carbine, there was a special sling that would have gone with it that differs from the standard sling.

Mike

It is an original engineer sling, but not original to the carbine. It is an RA sling dated 1903. I’ve seen two in the last year listed on eBay. Both were listed incorrectly. One was listed as a trapdoor sling and the other simply as a Krag. I’ve also attached some information that was given to me on this forum regarding the engineer sling. Both articles were taken from Mallory's "The Krag Rifle Story", 2nd edition.

Mike

Thanks and congratulations on your new carbine. It will be nice to see some more photos and details. As for serial numbers ranges that were engineers, I am not aware of there being a specific range of serial numbers. If you post your serial number, other members can comment more with regards to when it was made and whether it is a known number. As for mine, 279965, I’ve been told it’s in good company, but no specific mention. Good luck!

Mike