1899 Krag Carbine Question

[Jkibler2]

Going to look at a 1899 carbine tomorrow. We're these fitted with the 1902 rear sights? Apparently this is what I was told it has. TIA.

[dave]

Not originally I don't believe. At any rate carbines were fitted with special sights, marked with a c. I do not think a 1902 carbine sight was even made.

[70ish]

Going to look at a 1899 carbine tomorrow. We're these fitted with the 1902 rear sights? Apparently this is what I was told it has. TIA.

1902 Carbine sights were, indeed, made as were 1898 carbine sights which look very similar and both use the same, non humped, hand guard as as for the rifle. You should try to do some homework to be familiar with the differences between the 1898 and 1902 versions. Today, the 1901 sight is probably the most often encountered, with it's own humped guard, but during its use, the 1899 Carbine would have seen the 1898 Carbine sight with rifle hand guard, 1896 Carbine sight with 1896 humped hand guard, 1901 Carbine sight with 1901 humped hand guard or 1902 Carbine sight with 1898-syle rifle hand guard. These carbine sights are all getting hard to find and there are significantly different values for the various models.

[dave]

Yes, you are correct, there were 4 carbine sights made--96, 98, 02, 01. But J, do research as suggested, carbine sights are different then rifle and if gun has a rifle sight its worth less then top dollar.

[Kragrifle]

There were 1000 1902 carbine rear sights produced. Somewhere I have read they were only used for rebuilds and refits, but I believe they are correct for the few 1902 dated 1899 carbines of which only 180 were produced. I have seen two of these and one had the 1902 carbine sight in place. The other had a rifle sight and was in poor condition. If you decide to pass on the carbine would you mind giving me a heads up? Thanks.

[Dick Hosmer]

Serial number? - NO interest, kragrifle, just curious.

[Kragrifle]

361013

[Dick Hosmer]

Thanks. Sure wish I knew why one of my 26" barrel rifles had an unmarked, but hardly used carbine stock and a 1902 carbine sight. FWIW, the (one of the) specimen(s) in the SA Museum is ALSO configured thus. I've never "restored" it, and am not totally convinced it is "wrong". The other, with the correct rear sight and special front sight blade, definitely was whacked by a hunter, and will get a new forend some day.