Morning Everyone,

I have a story and request. About 8-10 years ago, I received my great grand fathers, who has since passed away, 30-40 krag that he had used in the army. It had been sportized, but it was mine. Fast forward a few years, my house was broken into and the rifle was stolen. Never recovered. Even afte all these years later it still makes me mad that someone did that to me. Anyhow, I was at a gun show a few years back and purchased this 30-40 Krag. It has definitly been sportized and pillaged. I have taken it to the range and fired it few times after I had it checked out by a local gun smith. Overall, the functionality of the firearm is in good working order. I love how this firearm shoots. It's wonderful.

So a couple of things. Would someone please tell me a little bit of the gun? Was it a rifle or carbine? I looked up the serial number (84997) and found it was built in 1897 according to oldguns.net. Also, could someone please tell me what has been done to the gun? I can tell that the stock has been sporterized. Something happened to the barrel between the chamber and the front "barrell band". Also, it looks like the front sight has been messed w/ too (Maybe dremmeled awhile back?). 

The second thing is this. Want I want to do is to modernize this firearm as much as possible. I plan on sending in the parts to CMP to get everything cleaned and reblued. What I need help with is this. Any tips or things to know when doing this? Second, and more importantly, what are some suggestions to where I can find a modern style stock, maybe synthetic, that fits the 30-40 krag? Maybe a custom one depending on cost. Also, I am thinking of removing the front and rear sight and mounting a scope. Any suggestions on mounts? OR what would it take to take this firearm and bring back it to original as much as possible and would that be a better option?

Any advice, thoughts, tips, etc, would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks!

'joesamwise' - Welcome to the KCA Forum. I am sorry that your grand-father's Krag was stolen from you. You have a rather nice 'sportered' Krag.

Your Krag, #84997, is actually a U.S. Model 1896 rifle that has been cut-down for sporting/hunting purposes.

It was likely manufactured around December, 1897, to January, 1898. The barrel was originally 30 inches long.

Your 'wood' was customized from a Krag military stock.

Your rear-sight is a Redfield model 102-K (which required no new holes, but, utilized the discarded 'magazine cut-off' opening).

Your 'banded' front-sight is a 1903 Springfield sight. (A common replacement sight on customized Krags.

IMHO - Your Krag is a nice example of the work that was done to Krags in the 1930's and 1940's, to make them into useful Hunting Rifles.

It has been refinished to what use to be considered a desirable 'blue'. The 'case-colors' on the side-plate, magazine-gate, and some of the action are a nice touch.

I would recommend you leave it as is. I am aware of no synthetic stocks for the Krag. Money spent on 'CMP' gun work or a re-finish, would be wasted.

I do not consider the Krag a good candidate for a scope, when there are good iron sights present. A receiver mounted scope has to be 'off-set' for ejection purposes and will interfere with the issue safety-lever.
(A barrel-mounted, long eye-relief, 'Scout-Scope, is more practical).

If your rifle were mine, I would eventually just discard the steel-strap 'barrel-band', after replacing it, with an 'anchor-screw' or custom barrel-band. I would reshape the 'stock-tip' into a proper Schnabel forearm shape.

(p.s. - Because the Krag trigger-guard screws are so close together, a barrel-band or barrel-screw is needed to prevent 'barrel whip' from splitting the stock in the action area).

I've taken the liberty of editing and attaching some of your photos.
The light spots on your barrel appear to be 'filled' screw-holes. Lots of possible holes for a 'Scout' mount.

Here are a couple of model 1896 Krags (a restored rifle and a 'cut-down' rifle) that I enjoy shooting.
I recently re-worked the 'cut-down' into more of a carbine configuration. (Its shortened barrel was fitted with a 1903 Springfield sight, like OP's).

I do recommend you enjoy your Krag pretty much as it is. (BTW - That Redfield model 102-K rear-sight is a gem for 'Hunting' and sells for around $75 to $100 on EBay).

Warning: A Krag project can easily become a big 'money pit'. Krag metal and wood parts are getting harder to find and prices are goofy.

With antique guns it is better to educate yourself and determine what you really want, while saving your money to buy it.

FWIW - Most 'sportered' Krags will only be worth around $300 and they can be hard to sell, even at that price.

Most 'buyers' want an original military Krag.