My New Krag - 1898 Rifle

[viking73]

Hello,

I decided to go ahead and pull the trigger on an un-sporterized 1898 Krag rifle last week. Attached are some photos:

















And some more detail shots:











I am so excited to finally own a Krag. The bore is very dirty, I've put about 50 patches through it so far. I do see rifling, but I need to scrub it some more. It also looks like I have tree different colors of wood?

All in all, I am quite pleased. Thanks for looking.

-Derek

[Dick Hosmer]

Would it be OK to inquire as to how much you paid, and if a lot, whether you have any recourse against the seller?

I ask that because I fear - primarily on the basis of the wood, which you clearly saw, you may have been the victim of fraud, or at least have been taken in by the sales pitch of a "sharp operator".

I WISH you guys would ask BEFORE you buy!!!!!!!!!

[Tom Trevor]

Did you mean to say DE-SPORTERIZED??

[madsenshooter]

Looks like the forearm was replaced, and the fit of the handguard reminds me of a reproduction I once returned. Hmm, a 1901 sight in a modified 98/02 handguard. But still, just fine for shooting.

[Griff Murphey]

A little dark walnut stain would be nice on that replacement forearm. I might also distress it a bit.

[PeteDavis]

I like restoring them and thousands are. Stain and oil. Then clean, shoot and repeat.

[Rick the Librarian]

It depends on what he paid. If he paid $400-450 or less, a decent deal. Anything above that, (and the flaws are as suggested), he got "took"

[madsenshooter]

I like restoring them too. I even had a forearm made from European walnut for one. (Got to get those together some day.) But people don't wish to pay as much for a shooter as they would a collectable firearm.

[Fred]

It depends on what he paid. If he paid $400-450 or less, a decent deal. Anything above that, (and the flaws are as suggested), he got "took"

In his earlier thread of "Thinking about picking up an 1898 rifle - what to look for?", the poster, Viking73 said that the rifle was priced at $850.00. So I think that he was certainly taken. He sounds like a friendly, trusting and likeable fellow who, like so many others, should've done his homework first to determine just what it was he was spending his money on before he spent it. How many times have we all seen someone buy a rifle and then come on one of the forums and ask how they did, what have they got, did they spend too much for it or did they get a real bargain? For their own well being, it would be so much better if these good people would study up on the subject first, which includes handling a Lot of such rifles at gun shows and in collections. Then after really reading up on the subject, handling and looking at and comparing many rifles at gun shows with what they've learned from books and pictures, and after asking a lot of questions here on these forums, then they wouldn't have to ask what they were looking at or if they spent too much or just what it was that they'd bought for many hundreds of dollars. That's sort of like a guy saying that he was planning to go out and get a wife pretty soon and he asks what sort of wife he should get. Or that he just got hitched and wants opinions on if he did any good. Well, when they spend good money on a particular type of rifle, without knowing anything about that type of rifle, you've got to wonder, why are they even interested in buying and owning the rifle in the first place. It seems to me that buying a rifle is a very personal thing and when done, is supposed to be based upon what the buyer has wanted, based upon diligent research, searched for all over and for so very long a time and finally found in his long quest. Nobody else can tell a guy what he should like or look for or collect. A guy ought to know what he wants and what he's looking at. If he doesn't, why on earth is he spending his hard earned money on something?
The poster shouldn't get his feeling hurt by what I've said here. He should understand that I'm saying these things to him and all others in his situation because I've been there over 40 years before. I don't want to see anybody get taken or to spend their money on a Pig in a Poke. I'm glad that he posted here and now he can take the information that he's been offered and will go and demand his money back from the seller. He should keep posting here and asking questions and learning about the subject and eventually, he will most certainly know just what it is he's wanting, looking at and what he's buying.

Fred

[Fred]

Viking73, did you ever get your money back from the seller? Please tell us what happened because we're here to assist you and we want to know what's going on!

Fred

[dave]

I'm afraid that alot of new-be's that come on these forums and ask 'how did I do' want to hear allot of reasurance and praise on how good they did, not what has been said here. Doubt he will ever post here again.

[Dick Hosmer]

I'm sorry, but am not going to gush over a problem gun, by lying about it, just to make someone "feel good". There is way too much of that sort of psychobabble going on in society right now as it is. One earns their kudos by making wise decisions, not by looking for a pat on their head. What earthly purpose does that serve! They will find out sooner or later - perhaps soon enough (as I suspect may occur in this case) to get an adjustment from the seller.

I DO always try to be polite and respectful, and always mention the good side - they're ALL fun shooters, if that is all one is looking for.

I also spend a LOT of time helping to educate, as best I can, those who may read these pages before they spend their money.

This particular gentleman has not reposted here, but we have had a most friendly dialogue on the KCA site.

It is my intent to continue to call 'em as I see 'em.

To any "newbies" reading this - do your homework BEFORE you buy!!!!

[Rick B]

I am with Dick on this 100%. Should we all Say WOW that is a Beautiful rifle when you can clearly see the front end was put back onto a previously Sportereized stock? Poorly colored wood and ill fitting hand guard besides a horrible bore that he speaks of. This rifle is worth no more than $40.00 at best. To think those telling the truth are wrong is a horrible way to spend your life and it will be a rough journey when reality finally hits. Rick B

[Fred]

On Tuesday at 6:20 PM, I PM'd the poster and told him what I thought was wrong with his rifle which was everything that had been pointed out by everyone else on this forum as well as the KCA. No response back but I'm glad to see that he's continued communicating on the KCA where he's getting good advice. If I were him (hoping he reads this), I'd forget about trying to fix or improve the rifle. He can't make it right for the money he's already spent on it. He needs to go back and either get the other rifle IF its legitimate (take photos and post them for advice) or reverse the trade and spend his money on something he's familiar with. There are Much better Krag's on GunBroker for less money.

[dave]

You all are confused on my meaning. My first line in my post was a statement of fact, not to mean that is what should have been said. I did not say you should lie about it and say it was a good buy. But to use words like 'been taken in', 'sharp operator', 'he got took', 'was taken', and a long lecture on how to be a smart collector, etc. is a bit much. Makes the guy feel really stupid! Tell the truth but "the facts, just the facts", and some helpful info on how to remedy the situation would be nice. Just my opinion!