Barrel Crown

[bobgar]

I have seen a 1892 and 1896 Krags for sale on GB. The end of the barrels are not crowned is that original and correct?

[Dick Hosmer]

Krag rifle (but not carbine, other then the two M1892 experimentals) barrels were originally uncrowned, and a full 30" long. When the 1892 rifles were converted to 1896 configuration - as most were - the barrels were crowned as part of the process. Since unaltered M1892s are rare and desirable, it is not unknown for barrels to have been trimmed flat, and the cut chemically aged. Giveaway will be the fact that they are not quite full length, which can be missed in a hasty once-over when a tape is not available, or a genuine specimen cannot be had for side-by side comparison.

Another point to watch for is the rod groove in the stock - also modified when the arms were updated. A walnut filler was inserted into the groove, and two types were used; the wider of which cannot be "fixed" by a faker. The narrow one can be removed, but still leaves a clue for the buyer. On an original, un-fooled with, M1892 stock the rod groove terminates well clear of the lower barrel band, in an ellipse. Beware the rod groove which runs all the way back to the band shoulder.

[bobgar]

Thank you for your info.

[Kragrifle]

One last tidbit-The original front sight blade on an 1892 rifle is .005 thicker than the later 1896, or a converted 1892. This blade also has a very distinctive shape as well as a step off in the side contour of the blade. When 1892 were converted, somehow the slot for the blade was made .005 narrower. The few Krag people that might know how this was done are undecided as to how this was done. Either the entire front post was replaced, or somehow the post was compressed to make it fit the later, thinner front sight blades. I have seen one rifle that was still uncrowned, but has the thinner slot (serial number is the 6K range, so a fairly early rifle).