Whig, you collect Krag carbines the way I used to collect Colt Woodsmans but I have cut back and haven’t bought one in a while. I’m thinking that the last 2nd series Match Target that I bought looked so terrible in the photos and everyone else thought so to, so I was surprised when I won the auction. When I got it the nastiness that the photo showed was red lint from what it was stored in not rust. Wiped it down and it was gorgeous. Got it for half to a third of it’s value. Kinda like my Krag rifle last year. Don’t think that I would buy a carbine carbine after realizing that my constabulary rifle is actually a carbine in disguise. I do like the extra walnut.

It is sad that the sum of a Krags parts are worth more than it’s whole. But most of that is where a seller overprices a rifle that has flaws that no true collector wants or casual shooter will pay so he sells it off a bit at a time to another probable collector or casual shooter who is willing to pay an inflated price and needs a certain bbl band, rear sight or handguard to complete his piecemeal rifle. A vicious cycle indeed.

My son, Mr. Steinmayer- a 190 pound bouncy Krag Lover!!

You're in the will!

38-40, Dick. And a large box of parts, to boot!

I've loved every one I've bought! I get them, look them over, disassemble and clean each one carefully and reassemble. I've learned a ton with your's and every one else's help. I enjoy finding different details that I search for and learn about with what I have.

I've always loved collecting and have a passion for different things I've collected since I was about 8 (coins). Krags give me the ability to have another collecting passion, I learn the mechanics and gun smithing from them, have been working up good loads at the reloading bench and shoot them. The history that Krags have and the many changes they have endured over their short military lifetime has made this an excellent pursuit.

I don't have the time or drive to write a book about these like some of you guys. I just am doing it for myself.

One of these days I'll get a family picture of the rifles. Some of them below but not separated.

But I do like those carbines.

Thanks.

Good pickup. It was my oldest brother's who died 13 years ago. Repro .58 caliber from the 70s. I have a ton of bullets and powder for it but I've only shot it once.

Fun to see and smell the old black powder!

I keep mine in a 1910 (or so) vintage cast-iron 20-gun 1903 rack, with ring raised to the top. I use spacers at the bottom to keep all the muzzles at same height for locking.

I recently had to reconfigure the lower part of my safe from 2/3 long guns, 1/3 shelves to all long guns and no shelves to make enough room for the critters. Need to pare down a bit probably. This is when I was swapping the shelving out....not everything.