Travis,

A couple comments on your Krag. It's quite a treasure to have a functioning rifle that belonged to your grandfather. I have an old shotgun of my grandfather's that doesn't function but I love having it. Since I love Krags, I would cherish one belonging to my granddad!

Your Krag receiver has been drilled for a scope mount. I don't know which one would fit but that is why there is no rear sight.

The rear sight for the Krags all have the same screw holes. All Krag sights are inter-changeable but the hand guards, which yours also does not have, are different for different rear sights.

You might have a replacement barrel on your Krag. It also might have had the two rear sight holes filled in. I cannot tell from your picture.

The cut out on your barrel is a dove tail that has been made to slide in a rear sight that fits that specific dove tail. I had one of these on a Krag I got years ago.

So, you can use a scope or find a dove tailed rear sight that fits.

Others may chime in to add more info about the receiver mount for a scope or other details.

Hope this helps some.

Good luck and keep us informed!

Thanks for the help so far. I have attached a few extra pictures to help.

Absolutely. Here are some photos. Thanks for all the help so far.

The bore is actually pretty good. I don't know how much my grandfather used it when he was alive but I know he used it at his ranch for predators who might have threatened his cattle. A lot of critters probably met their end there.

My grandfather was a rancher who was brought up near the end of the depression so he would jerry-rig and fix anything himself instead of throwing anything away or buying anything new. I assume this is where the miscellaneous alters to the gun would have taken place. Also, I can't imagine the amount of banging around this would have had on the tractor and other equipment he brought this on and probably just tossed around. This is definitely a gun that has had better days but because of that, reminds me of him and is priceless.

My end goal was to keep the gun as close to how he left it as possible but just did not really like the old cheap scope that he had on it which was actually loose. I have actually purchased a really nice restored krag last year and that is the main one I shoot (when ammo is not super expensive) but it is nice to take this one out once in a while. It just has a more well used (in a good way) feel.

You're right that you've got a priceless family heirloom there. Just think of the stories that could be told of your grandfather carrying that Krag around with him on the farm and plugging away at unaware predators. What fun!

So, fix it a little to stabilize the stock and I agree a nicer scope would be great. But, keep it otherwise as it is to remind you of your granddad.

You should show us pictures of your other Krag too. Love seeing new ones.

Hi Arizona Travis,

I have an 1899 carbine that was also dove tailed to allow for the Marbles sight mounted on the rifle when I purchased it.

Fortunately for me the original Krag rear sight holes were not filled-in and I was able to easily restore to its original 1899 configuration.

Your grandfather's Krag has a neat history and I would leave it as is with the exception of trying to stabilize the crack where the screw is on the left side.

Additionally, if you choose to do so, Marbles or Marbles like buckhorn sights are easily available on the web.

You can also fill-in the scope holes with set screws you may have laying around or you can acquire them from a gunsmith or hardware store.

Otherwise, trying to restore it to original condition would be a costly endeavor!

BTW: I think the front sight is kinda cool!