Mix master Krag

[gunnut69]

Picked up my first 1898 today, wood is dated 1899, receiver is 1902 and rear sight is a 1901 model, original 1887 sling & brass muzzle cap. The wood is in very very good condition, the metal has been re blued & done very well, does any of this effect the value? What is a reasonable value of these with out a sling and muzzle cap?31608316073160931610

[S.B.]

Are you certain that sling is original? Doesn't look 100 years old to me IMHO.
Steve

[bruce]

Beautiful rifle! Now...load up some ammunition and take it out to the range! Sincerely. bruce.

[gunnut69]

I have no clue, I have no reason to beleave it not original,the gun came from an estate sale of some on who worked/owned a store since the 50's. How do you tell a real from a repro?

[Dick Hosmer]

Are you certain that sling is original? Doesn't look 100 years old to me IMHO.
Steve

The pictures do not appear to show the same sling - that in #3 does not appear old, but, the other shots I could buy; old does not have to mean trashed.

[gunnut69]

I'll post better pics tomorrow, I'd love to know if it is original.

[dave]

What is meant by original? I doubt any sling is 'original' the one used on the rifle originally. If it has only one hook it may be original type. Any way its probably had a multitude of slings on it at one time or another!

[Dick Hosmer]

In this case, I would say that "original" would mean "made prior to 1900". I believe that dating (at least on a large scale) did not begin until the Model 1907(?) of the 1903/WW1 period, and repros were not made, in quantity, until the 1980s or later. The vast majority of undated, single-loop slings, showing significant age/patina, are in fact "original". Musket slings were used on the early trapdoors, trapdoor slings were used through the Krag period, etc. They even spliced slings from serviceable portions.

[dave]

"single loop", yes that is better name then single hook. I knew they were musket slings. I have two that were on rifles when I got them. One has a splice to shorten it, I thought to 'shorten'.

[Dick Hosmer]

When new rifles were received by the troops, they were instructed to transfer their old slings - if OK - to the new rifle. The sling was only meant for carrying and was not model-specific.

[gunnut69]

Here's some better pictures.31774317723177331775

[sdkrag]

Great looking sling. My guess it is the original "type" used on the Krags. One of the best looking and marked I have seen.

[Dick Hosmer]

Unquestionably an original period sling - NOT a repro. Very nice.

[Fred]

Any time the metal on a collectable firearm is buffed down, over cleaned or refinished, Its collectors value is reduced.