New Krag owner, need some advice.

[Smokechaser]

Hello Krag folks, I have been wanting a 30-40 Krag for a very long time now, and I just purchased one this evening for $60.00! It's not pretty by any means, and it's missing the safety, cut off and the magazine follower spring, but the bore looks awesome, and the action is tight. According to the serial #, this rifle appears to have been produced in 1899. It is a carbine length rifle set in a sporterized stock with the monte carol cheek piece. I do not like this stock at all and I want to restore it back to a military style stock with a barrel band. I see that the safety and spring parts I need are reasonably available, but are there any decent stocks out there? Any good advice or questions on this restoration would be greatly appreciated. Thank you!

[psteinmayer]

Hi, and welcome to the wonderful world of Krags!

A few questions: Does the receiver say Model 1899? If it says Model 1898, what is the serial number? What type of front sight is on the gun? Where I'm going with this is that if it's sporterized, it may also be a cutoff barrel. A rifle barrel should be 30 inches and a carbine should be exactly 22 inches, as measured from the muzzle to the closed bolt face. The front sight should be the same whether it's a rifle or carbine, and the base should be dovetailed and brazed. If it's banded, then the barrel is most likely cut. Pictures would help here...

All that notwithstanding, military stocks are available. Please note, if it is a cutoff barrel, it will never hold the same value as a true carbine, whether it's restored to military condition or not. Check EBay or Gunbroker, as original stocks do become available from time to time. Replacement stocks are also available from different companies also, but beware of some of them.

[dave]

He said it was a "carbine length rifle" and said it "appears" to be made in 1899 by serial number.

Carbine stocks are hard to come by and are very expensive, rifle stocks not so much. But there are repros out there altho I have heard good and bad about them.

[Smokechaser]

It was late last night and I was excited about this Krag, I should have included more information. The receiver is stamped model 1898, The serial # is 122181, the barrel length is exactly 22" to the bolt face, and the front sight is not a banded sight, it is dovetailed & brazed. The rear sight is a 1901. I'll post some pictures this evening even though I'll be embarrassed to do so, this gun is not pretty but it's exactly what I was looking for. I love a diamond in the rough. This rifle has sentimental value to me because my dad had one when he was a kid growing up in North Dakota in the 40's & 50's, and I've always wanted one because of that. Thanks for the replies so far.

[madsenshooter]

It's within the serial # range that it might have been a model 1898 carbine.

[Smokechaser]

Would an 1898 carbine have the 1901 rear sight?

[madsenshooter]

Not originally, it would have had an 1896 carbine sight at the time made. But if upgraded and put in a 1899 carbine stock, as many of them were, then other carbine sights are possible.

[psteinmayer]

If the rear sight is a 1901, does it have the "C" on it denoting a carbine sight? It sounds like you may have the real deal, although it would need to have the correct stock, handguard etc.

[Smokechaser]

Yes, the rear sight does have a "C" stamped on the side.

[sdkrag]

It sounds as if the rifle falls within the accepted carbine serial # range. I guess I would look for a carbine stock for the thing. At 60.00 you could afford to shop around for a stock and even if you have to give a few bucks for it and the band you will still be in good shape. Unless there is an SRS hit you can't prove it's an original but you have all the makings.

[Smokechaser]

That's my plan, to locate a decent used carbine stock or an aftermarket one and make the gun look correct. I installed a new CMP stock on a Garand not too long ago which turned out beautiful, so I'm looking forward to doing this Krag too. Does anyone have any suggestions as to where I can locate a new stock & handguard set? Thanks.

[psteinmayer]

S&S has replacement stocks. Boyds also has Krag stocks, but be very careful with Boyds... I have heard that the stock requires a great deal of carving and fitting to make it correct. Check out the following links for a couple stock companies:

http://www.dunlap-woodcrafts.com/MilitaryStocks.php#23

http://www.ssfirearms.com/products.asp?cat=28&filter=krag

http://gunstockduplicating.com/index.html

Also keep an eye on EBay because they do pop up from time to time.

Barrel bands and other bits and pieces can be purchased from Joe DeChristopher at this site: http://www.tradenet.net/joede/

Good Luck with the restoration... It should be awesome if done right!

[Smokechaser]

psteinmayer, thanks for the great information and your time to post it. I'm on the hunt for all the parts right now!

[madsenshooter]

You'd want an 1899 carbine stock, going back to the 1896 short stock it was originally issued with would require you to get an 1896 carbine sight, and they're expensive.

[Dick Hosmer]

Hate to be picky, but the short stock situation is worse than that, cause it is only an 1896 type, remember the bolt notch - finding a proper original M1898 short stock is out of the question - so, go with the 1899 for sure.