Krag carbine - please help!!!

[anton67]

I have been offered this Krag Carbine for $200.
I am trying to find out as much as I can about these rifles.
I would like to know whether it looks to be in original configuration based upon these photos.
I am supposed to get additional photos tomorrow but this is what I have so far.
The front part of the stock looks different from the others I have seen on the internet.
I believe it is an 1896 Model.
Any info would be appreciated.
Also is there anything in particular I should look for when I inspect the rifle in person?
Please help.

[7.62match]

Looks like a cut down rifle with a 1903 springfield front sight installed. if the bore is good i'd buy it for $200 .

[JimF]

Authentic carbines do NOT have sling swivels!
Authentic carbines do NOT have front sights that wrap around the barrel.
‘Nuff said??? —Jim

[Dick Hosmer]

Authentic carbines do NOT have sling swivels!
Authentic carbines do NOT have front sights that wrap around the barrel.
‘Nuff said??? —Jim

All true, but that is nice and clean, and easily worth $200, maybe even $300, but that would be tops. Definitely a shooter as opposed to a collectible, however.

[madsenshooter]

Or, as many do now a days, a basis for building back to original. New full length barrels are available, and the forestock.

[anton67]

Thank you for all of your input. I was hoping to buy it as a collectible.
I would buy it as a shooter but the ammo is obscenely expensive.
So I decided to let it go.
Thank you again.

[deadin]

That's what reloading is for... As long as you aren't planning to shoot hundreds of round a day, you can get into a Lee hand press and dies with a dipper measure for less than $50-60. Keep your loads reasonable and the brass will last forever.

[Dick Hosmer]

I'd reconsider - that is a VERY clean specimen - well worth restoring. $200 usually buys nothing more than a scabby POS full of scope-mount holes and with a battered stock. Whoever owns it obviously has NO idea what he has. There is virtually NO wear on the gun - even though, admittedly, it is not in collector configuration.

[JimF]

I agree with Mr. Hosmer . . . .
$200 for that Krag is a goood buy . . . for a “shooter”.
I’d take it into the whitetail woods and pot a deer with her.
Those sling swivels are begging for a sling, and the entire rifle wants to take a walk in the woods!

[psteinmayer]

I also agree 100%! Buy it and go bag a deer. This would be a great candidate for restoration, as well as a very inexpensive introduction to Krags and all of their quirks. You could certainly do a lot worse!

[jon_norstog]

Two bills is a steal. If the bore is good, it would be a great hunting rifle, as-is. Good luck!

jn

[Darreld Walton]

Personally, I'd put blisters on my hands pulling money out of my pockets for that carbine at that price! I bought my own 98 carbine for $150 about four years ago, with a barrel sourced from an M1917, and it shoots amazingly well with 200 gr. Hornady round nose and IMR 4350 loaded to give about 2100 fps. Wouldn't hesitate to take on anything in the lower 48 (except maybe a really pissed off grizz or Buffl'er) with it.

[butlersrangers]

'anton67' kindly put me in contact with his friend and we have worked out a mutually agreeable sale.

This cut-down model 1896 Krag will be restocked as a nice carbine looking 'sporter', while providing the main 'aft' wood of a 'spliced' stock on a full-length model 1896 rifle restoration.

[Dick Hosmer]

Sounds like a win-win!

[psteinmayer]

I want to be in your will Chuck! LOL

Dick's right... Win-Win!