I need advice from the experts.

I have a chance to purchase a 1899 Krag Carbine and need opinions on whether this piece is worth the $400 I offered. The Carbine came out of a collection and a friend at work is selling them for the widow of the former owner. I made the offer sight unseen, I wanted to be fair and need to know if this is worth a lot more than what I offered. I now have the Carbine to inspect.

I may be wrong about some of this, but from what I can see the stock has been sanded and varnished. The rear sight base is a 1901 carbine base, but someone replaced the rear sight ladder and sight with a rear sight ladder from a 1903 Springfield. The barrel measures 22" from the closed bolt using a cleaning rod, and the front sight blade has been modified, but is stamped with a "c". Also the front hand guard has a crack, not visible, but it is there. Bore is strong and sharp, with some minor pitting.

Please help. Any thoughts from the experts would be appreciated. How difficult would it be to find a proper 1901 Carbine ladder and sliding sight. Do I even have a 1899 Carbine.

I know this does not have much collector value, but I would like to at least restore the rear sight so I can shoot it.

Hope my pics turned out, it was very sunny and bright today and I was in a rush. If anyone needs more pics let me know.

Thanks for looking


(You need to Login to view media files and links)

I agree with Knute for his comments mostly. The receiver is marked Model 1899 which means it did start life as a carbine and looks to have an authentic 22" carbine barrel and original front sight base.

Some of the receiver metal from your pictures almost looks painted black. It is not the original finish. Look around the top part of the magazine door and under the left side plate screw. It may have been reblued- it's hard to tell from the pictures. The metal is rusted in a few areas where the "paint" or refinish did not take well, it appears.

The rear sight is a big problem because it's harder (not impossible) to find just the 1901 carbine slide than to just replace the whole thing, which will cost around $200-250. The stock as stated above is refinished but looks rather nice. The brazed front sight blade is fine and I'd also leave it alone.

But, since there is only a small collector's value (I wouldn't invest in it as a carbine but some would) I would be satisfied with the exchange of $400 for this Krag carbine. To fix it some, it will cost and you can't return the stock and metal refinish to normal.

It would likely fit into the "shooter" category or collector piece for someone wanting to start a Krag collection of fill a hole with a somewhat valuable carbine.

A collector M1899 carbine in unaltered military condition will cost upwards of $1500. They are available on Gun Broker and auctions. Better condition ones have recently sold for over $2000.

You're fine with the $400 unless you feel guilty and want to give some more of your money to your friend.

The metal and wood both appear refinished on this model 1899 carbine, so, $400 to $500 is a fair offer - IMHO.

FWIW - As a stopgap, a complete model 1901 rifle sight or a rifle leaf & slide (and your carbine base) can be used to give this carbine a better look.

With patience, the correct parts will 'show up', eventually.

(BTW - You don't really need to do anything. It can be shot with the sight leaf that is on it).

My unslocited .02 is leave the stock alone, keep your eyes peeled for a 1901 Carbine sight, maybe, maybe carefully file off that wart on the front sight blade and count yourself lucky. Love it just the way it is. I'm interested in what everyone else thinks about the finish on the metal, it looks very blue in these photos.

Thanks for the replies, I am new to the forum as well as Krag Collecting. I will pick up a 1901 Carbine sight when I can afford one. I will keep everything else the same, it is what it is.

Seems like a good deal for my first Krag Carbine so I think I'll pick it up.

Receiver finish looks like a poorly done, over polished cold blue to me