1892 Krag restoration a year later...

[Len]

A year ago I reported the find of an almost intact 1892 Krag found at a local pawnshop. The only parts that had been changed out were the handguard and rear sight. After a year of procrastination I finally cut a deal with a gent who had the requisite parts and once they arrived the restoration was completed. I took a few pics of the rifle as she sits now. When the rifle first surfaced I never asked for an SRS check. Might as well do it now , does #2933 show up?

Before:
http://imagehost.vendio.com/a/6944204/view/Krag1892002.JPG
http://imagehost.vendio.com/a/6944204/view/Krag1892001.JPG
http://imagehost.vendio.com/a/6944204/view/Krag1892008.JPG

After:
http://imagehost.vendio.com/a/6944204/view/1892KragResto007a.jpg
http://imagehost.vendio.com/a/6944204/view/1892KragResto001a.jpg
http://imagehost.vendio.com/a/6944204/view/1892KragResto003a.jpg
http://imagehost.vendio.com/a/6944204/view/1892KragResto004a.jpg
http://imagehost.vendio.com/a/6944204/view/1892KragResto010a.jpg

[5MadFarmers]

Beautiful. The stock is crisp. I don't suppose you'd take a picture of the inside of the gate? Front and rear? Narrowing down a change. Thanks.

[Len]

Hi 5Mad,
The gate is numbered to the rifle so I assume it's original. The side plate is also matching. Here are the pics you requested.

Len

233152331623317

[Dick Hosmer]

Very nice Len, don't have anything on 2933 (but I do own 2946 - also all matching. Wonder if there was any sort of common issuance thread which "saved" them?)

[5MadFarmers]

Thanks Len.

The only common thread on unaltered 1892s is the expected one: the very early guns survived.

[Fred]

Fantastic rifle! Thanks for sharing!!!

[psteinmayer]

Pretty Spiffy there!!!

[Dick Hosmer]

Uhhhh - egg on face here, that would be 2546 - don't even know my own serials anymore. :-(

[Rick the Librarian]

Excellent -- wish I'd run into one of those for less than a second mortgage!

Perhaps someone can fill me in -- I was told by a person whose name I have forgotten, that one of the largest sources for unmolested M1892s was the policy of sending 1-2 rifles to each state and territorial adjutant-general, and that over the years, a number of them have survived. I was told that was the case with Rod Bayonet M1903s, as well. Any truth to that?

[5MadFarmers]

Excellent -- wish I'd run into one of those for less than a second mortgage!

Perhaps someone can fill me in -- I was told by a person whose name I have forgotten, that one of the largest sources for unmolested M1892s was the policy of sending 1-2 rifles to each state and territorial adjutant-general, and that over the years, a number of them have survived. I was told that was the case with Rod Bayonet M1903s, as well. Any truth to that?

"The only common thread on unaltered 1892s is the expected one: the very early guns survived. "

Yes.

[madsenshooter]

So now that it is in tune, did you take the opportunity to let the pawn shop owner know that he screwed up? Just wondering, might not be good idea, he might come up with something else nice that he knows little about. I'll bet you troll the place a little more than what you used to, Len.

[Len]

So now that it is in tune, did you take the opportunity to let the pawn shop owner know that he screwed up? Just wondering, might not be good idea, he might come up with something else nice that he knows little about. I'll bet you troll the place a little more than what you used to, Len.

No I'm not going enlighten him on his error. He's in the business , he set the price. He should have known better. I stop in the store every month or so just to see what's turned up. Picked up a nice wartime Walther PPK rig there since the Krag episode.

[Rick the Librarian]

On a much "lesser" level, I was digging through a box of "junk" M1903 parts at a gun show and noticed a CV-marked cocking piece and asked the table-owner "how much", and he said "Five bucks". I gladly paid the amount and was able to resell it for $45. My friend happened to tell the guy at the next gunshow, and ever after, he would glare at me as I went by (and did NOT stop)! :D

[gnoahhh]

Sometimes it's best to keep one's own counsel!

[Dick Hosmer]

Rick's "friend" should have known better!

But, an even more trying case is when you are consulted, and find yourself caught in the middle between a buyer and seller (when both are friends/acquaintances) over a pending deal, when you know that the item has "issues".

[Kragrifle]

Any cartouche?

[Len]

Any cartouche?

Yep there is.

[Kragrifle]

Nice. The follower should also be numbered.

[jon_norstog]

That really is a nice restoration. i wonder what that rifle did during its service?

jn

[Len]

Nice. The follower should also be numbered.

Well I don't feel like playing gunsmith so I'll leave checking the follower to a future owner. For what I have in the rifle two out of three is ok with me.