carbine verification please

[RickM]

Does anyone have a carbine list they would not mind checking.

Serial 230512

Thanks ahead of time.
Rick

[SMOKEY]

Rick if I read the list right it is an Inland possibly May of 42

[dave]

We are on the Krag forum here, not the M1 carbine forum.

Rick, what is the model date on the receiver? If 1898 the odds are way against it, if not impossible, of it being a carbine. If 1899 it is a carbine.

[RickM]

Yes it is a krag. Looks correct 22" though im not sure about the serial.trying to see if it is a correct carbine. 800 is a bit much if it is a rifle cut down I think.

[psteinmayer]

Where 1898 Krag carbines are concerned, there is a very specific serial number range that it must fall into to be correct. Any receiver stamped 1899 is absolutely a carbine. If it's an 1898, check the serial number. Measure the barrel using a cleaning rod to the closed bolt face (must be absolutely 22 inches exactly). Then, take a clear picture of the front sight post - Krags were dovetailed and brazed... and the seam will be nearly invisible. If the front sight is a banded sight, then it's more likely than not that it's a cut down rifle barrel (no Krag was ever issued with a banded sight).

If it turns out to be a cut down rifle being passed off as a carbine, then $250 to $300 is a more realistic price. If it turns out to be a true 1898 carbine and all correct, then $800 would be a steal!

[RickM]

Thank you. I forgot about the front sight. It is an 1899 and has a banded front sight.

[RickM]

Here is a picture of it.

IMG_2769_zpsaqqgtsqv.jpg

[Dick Hosmer]

If marked "1899" it is a carbine. Since it has a band spring, the stock appears to be a carbine one. Most carbines did not have sling swivels, but some did have them added officially. The front sight does not appear to be the 1903 type, so it was probably added over the correct base prep which could be restored. $800 is probably fair (it's a nice-looking piece) but not a steal, considering the front sight.

[sdkrag]

I think that is a 1903 front sight. Also the location of the rear sling swivel appears to be located too far forward for a military installation. I have observed several that appear to have been installed using a jig and all were offset slightly. Information I have seen indicated that the conversions were done at the local level using tooling provided by the arsenal.

[psteinmayer]

I gotta go with Dick on that front sight. Definitely not a 1903. More likely a Stokes Kirk replacement.

A question: The rear sight - is it marked with a C on the eye piece, ramp and base? I'm only asking because I'm curious if this was pieced together or just modified to make it a little more user friendly for hunting (i.e. addition of the sling, different front sight, etc.).

[dave]

The rear sight does not look like a carbine, The ramp sides are too high, way above the ladder.

[m1903rifle]

No hit, but looks like it has to be a carbine:

230245 99C 02/1936 SECOND CORPS AREA
230329 99C 02/1936 SECOND CORPS AREA
230394 99C 08/01/43 WWII DONATION TO US NAVY
230561 99C 08/01/43 WWII DONATION TO US NAVY
230650 99C 02/1936 SECOND CORPS AREA
230739 99C 02/1936 SECOND CORPS AREA
Anyone know why there would have been that many Krag carbines in the system at that late date?

[butlersrangers]

The model 1902 carbine rear-sight for the Krag normally is marked with just one "C". Usually, it is stamped on the right side of the base. (However, some were stamped on the left side).

Also Note - The model 1902 sight (carbine and rifle) bases have a different flat-spring, than what was used on the model 1898 sight (carbine and rifle).

Some incorrect sights have resulted from 'Hobbyists' putting 1902 sight 'tops' on 1898 'bottoms'.

(Springfield Armory did alter some 1898 sight 'tops' by grinding the corners to eliminate the left and right sight notches. These 'salvaged' rear sights were put on 1902 sight bases and are a variant of the 1902 sight).

Photos of a 1902 carbine rear-sight, (only about 1,000 were made, so it is relatively valuable - $200-300):

carbine-sgt02-1.JPGcarbine-sgt02-2.JPGcarbine-sgt02-3.JPG

[butlersrangers]

The Krag, the OP is considering, has a reproduction hand-guard, judging by how it covers the 'receiver ring'. The 'after-market' banded front-sight appears to be fabricated from sheet-metal. I have seen a lot of those, but, I do not know what company made them. It is hard to tell, but, the rear sight could be an '02 'top' on a '98 'base'. (This combination would not be correct, but, worth about $50).

I think the "OP's Krag" is only worth its utility value and parts salvage value - under $675 - IMHO.

aaquestionedkrag-ed1.jpg

aaquestionedkrag-ed2.jpg