East Taylor LLC repro handguards?

[Rick the Librarian]

I had a gentleman from another forum recommend reproduction Krag handguards from a firm called "East Taylor LLC". They appear to sell all varieties (including the 1899 carbine model with the wood sight protector) for $65, which includes rivets and the clips.

Anyone hear anything positive or negative about them?

Here's the link:

http://www.partsforantiqueguns.com/Krag%20%28Springfield%29%20Upper%20Handguards.htm

[Mark Daiute]

I have purchased maybe a half dozen handguards and forearm extensions from them. the 1901 rifle handguards required some minor fitting, especially under the binding lever.

I will continue to by stock parts from them.

[Rick the Librarian]

I would like to find a cracked or broken Krag handguard to I can have somebody put together one for me. But if that doesn't work out, I'd like to have an alternate plan.

[5MadFarmers]

The initial batch of 3rd block 1899s were made with rifle handguards so you have an easier option available.

[Rick the Librarian]

You mean the "flat" handguards (no wooden sight protector) like on my other 1899, 356,000 range?

[Dick Hosmer]

I have purchased maybe a half dozen handguards and forearm extensions from them. the 1901 rifle handguards required some minor fitting, especially under the binding lever.

I will continue to by stock parts from them.

How were the forearm extentions? For what I'm doing (shortening, not stretching) it would be easier to just use regular stocks, but I just hate to chop a good stock to make a phony!

Anyone have one (or perhaps two) DECENT whacked M98 stocks - MUST have clear 1902 cartouche - for sale, CHEAP? I have a cutoff 1896 stock, and/or some parts which I would trade.

[Rick the Librarian]

How were the forearm extentions? For what I'm doing (shortening, not stretching) it would be easier to just use regular stocks, but I just hate to chop a good stock to make a phony!

That's why, when I advertised on the WTS/WTB forum, I asked for a broken or cracked handguard.

[madsenshooter]

I have one negative to throw in here. I bought one his handguards for a 1901 sight off ebay. I didn't get around to trying it for quite some time. When the sight was on, it left quite a gap between stock and handguard on the right side. He wasn't nice, but he did give me my money back, and told me he wouldn't sell to me again, because it fit, in his opinion. Yes, it fit, until you put the sight in the slot, which I don't think he did. So, I had my sister buy me another one through him, and it fit fine. I probably could have enlarged the sight slot and made it work, but don't think I should have had to. With anything mass produced you're going to have one not within specs from time to time. Also got one for a 1902 sight had to trim a wee bit to allow clearance for the elevation locking knob, no big deal, Mr. Dremel gave me a hand.

[Rick the Librarian]

I hope to find a broken handguard that I can piece together. If you have seen pictures of the corroded Krag carbine I have posted, I think a "new" handguard would look a little silly. I just thought it best to see if I could come up with an alternative if I can find a handguard to piece together.

[Dick Hosmer]

You know, I don't understand these people - with the machinery available today, NO one needs to turn out a cheap-$hit product.

I'd bet that most people would even pay more for a handguard, so long as it fit.

And - it's NOT bleeping rocket science, either. The holes NEVER move. The band NEVER moves. The clip slots NEVER move. There are only THREE sight-base placements. A monkey should be able to get it right, every time.

[Mark Daiute]

Ok, so that get's us back to forearms. the only problem I've had with them (and these REALLY aren't rocket science) was grain. Somehow or other the wood grain doesn't seem to match the old walnut. At this point tho I'm getting pretty picky.

I told them about the 1901 sight and handguard and was told that it was an exact copy from a specimen in good condition.

[Kragrifle]

Ben Rice was a master.

[Rick the Librarian]

Ok, so that get's us back to forearms. the only problem I've had with them (and these REALLY aren't rocket science) was grain. Somehow or other the wood grain doesn't seem to match the old walnut. At this point tho I'm getting pretty picky.

That is my concern about using a "new" handguard with an "old" stock.

[madsenshooter]

Put a new one on, send it to my house for awhile. After dwelling in my closet for a short time with all the other guns, it'll look old and beat up. Don't consider S&S either, I got one from them, real light wood, almost light as balsa weight-wise, that drinks stain like a sponge, and it was lopsided.

[Mark Daiute]

one of my restored Krags I have to remind myself it was restored (stretched). It's a 4 digit 1892 and I went to check it for the filled ramrod channel. Good thing I don't take myself seriously.

M