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Picked up my first Krag at my favorite small-town gun show today. Old guy made me buy it for so cheap. Serial number lookup says 1900 and the stock cartouche says the same. Bore is the best I have ever seen on a Krag, bright and great rifling. Now I need to find some ammo that is not $100 or more a box. Lol!
I am welcome to listen to any comments, SRS data, or info on it.
Couple of quick pics for now. :)
Looks Nice.
Good Buy.
Later 42rocker
Thanks!Quote:
Originally Posted by 42rocker
Uses same headspace gauges as .303 British
Oh really? Wow, ok. I have all of those. Lol! Thanks!Quote:
Originally Posted by Fushigi Ojisan
Just checked with .303 British headspace gauges. Bolt closes on a Go and does not close on a No-Go. Perfect. :)
I really like it. So many were cut down, it's nice to see one full length and with the date cartouche intact.
I had a Krag many years ago that swallowed a field gauge. It also was keyholing at 25 yards with .328 bullets, it was that worn out.Quote:
Originally Posted by scottz63
Thanks! I think it may have been cut down though. Overall length is shorter than listed for these, barrel length as well.Quote:
Originally Posted by Salt Flat
So, what's the barrel length then? Measure with a rod from a closed bolt... Still, nice lookin' piece. You say the bore is nice, you can load for it too instead of buying.Quote:
Originally Posted by scottz63
Overall length is 43 1/2 inches and barrel length is 24 1/2 inches. It was done well if cut down and the crown is good. The bore is very bright with really good rifling. I'm pretty picky about bore condition and I would rate this one as good+. Probably the best Krag bore I have personally seen.Quote:
Originally Posted by browningautorifle
'Scottz63' - Your Krag should be a fun shooter. The stock and barrel have definitely been cut down by a civilian.
Springfield Armory did not make a Krag model with a 24.5 inch barrel.
Some VFW posts had their standard Krag rifles 'shortened' to a 24" barrel length to make them appear 'more like' the 1903 Springfield rifle.
It would be interesting to see detailed photos of your front and rear sights. It appears your present rear-sight is a model 1896 sight that has been put on backwards.
Your hand-guard appears to be one that was made for the model 1892 Krag.
(The sight-opening may be altered).
The front-sight looks to be some type of commercial 'ramp'.
Your Krag, serial number 244581, (or 244531), was likely built around January or February of 1900.
It looks nice and I wish you luck with it.
One thing to be aware of which I was unaware of until I got my 1903 dated Krag rifle is the type of ammo they used. The rounds were loaded with a cupro-nickel jacketed bullet which unless it's scrubbed out vigorously with ammonia leaves an almost chrome looking liner in the bore. Mine was slugging at .307 there was so much buildup in my barrel. After several days of scrub and soak it finally cleaned out. Although the rifiling came up sharper and deeper than it originally looked some shallow pitting did appear down towards the chamber which hasn't had any effect on accuracy. You may not have that problem but it's something to consider. The original ammo for these rifles was highly corrosive so for any service rifle to survive absolutely pristine is highly unlikely.
The best Krag bores are often found on rifles and carbines that someone altered for Hunting.
Even Krag barrels with some pitting, erosion and roughness can shoot jacketed bullets surprisingly well.
Thanks for the info! I was thinking 1900 for the serial number date but, did not know the estimated month. It does have an incorrect front and rear sight. The rear is an 1896 version I believe. It has the space in the handgaurd and the "ghosting" of a larger sight. I need to get an 1898 sight for it. Will a 1902 sight work?Quote:
Originally Posted by butlersrangers
Attachment 133755Attachment 133756
Quote:
Originally Posted by oldfoneguy
Thanks! Bore is pretty good, as far as most Krag's I have looked at. Fairly bright and good rifling. .30 caliber muzzle gauge measures at a 1 and the crown looks pretty good.Quote:
Originally Posted by butlersrangers
Quick pic just snapped outside as the sun just set, kind of weird lighting. Rear sight turned around and installed a spare WW2 Enfield sling for now.
The exact reason they were done. I had the school gun that had an almost perfect bore. That was why it had been selected, bore condition. Originally it was just cut down a bit for hunting...Quote:
Originally Posted by butlersrangers
That is a nice looking rifle. Reloading may be your only hope, but the brass is likewise scarce. My .30-40 Krag is a fine shooter with cast bullets. I like the Lyman 308284. My hunting buddy has a 1895 Winchester in .30-40 Krag. A couple of Colorado elk are proof that he has figured out the "code" for paper patch bullets in his rifle.
Thank you! It's beautiful to me as I have always wanted one. I went to the gun show this weekend just to look around and this Krag was at the second to last table near the exit door on my way out. Out the door it went with me. Lol!
Question. What sling do most use on these? I'm thinking a 1907 style sling would look good on it.
303 and 30-40 are close. if you can't find 30-40 try making them from 303.
Earlier models continued to use the M1887 trapdoor sling. It wasn't great because it has to be completely disassembled to be re-configured.
In the South Pacific the Mills web sling was used as the M1887 was prone to rotting and disintegrating in the tropical environment. The Mills is somewhat similar to the Enfield sling you have now.
The Kerr NoBuckl which came later was used throughout WWI and either could have been on a Krag in the rear or back in the states.
Around the turn of he century there was a series of short lived models of leather slings that eventually became the M1907. The major differences were in the number size and shape of the hooks and buckles. The exact model for my Krag would have been the M1903 which isn't reproduced so I'm using a M1907 instead.
If you can't tell I did extensive research on this subject after I bought my Krag.
Sounds good. Thanks! I think I might go with an M1907 sling.
For shooting utility - go with the model 1907 sling.
The 1887 sling was primarily a carry strap.
It is very clumsy because it's too long & bulky for the Krag.
(The 1903 Army NM Team made a creative use of sling and swivels).
The Mills Krag canvas 'Tropical' sling was a failure.
The Brass 'C' Hooks were too narrow and caused the strap to curl.
The Lee-Enfield (Mills) sling works well, but it is not correct.
What about the Kerr No Buckle? That might look fitting. I kind of likr how it attaches as well.
Attachment 133779
As I had stated earlier the Kerr would be correct for the WWI era which is when it was first adopted. If you're looking to make it turn of the century correct you're going to have to choose between a M1907 or M1887. I have a repop Kerr on my US Model 1917 and it's excellent. Truly a marksmans sling and very easy to reconfigure. No wonder the Marines adopted it in 1917.
WW1 - U.S. Engineers (1917 London):
These are on the bottom of the wrist just behind the trigger guard. I'm guessing the "Circle P" is the proof mark? What about, what appears to be, the number 80 above it? Just another proof/inspection mark?
The circle P is the firing proof mark. The 80 could be anything from a proof mark to a rack number. My Krag rifle has a tiny S where your 80 is, meaning unknown.
Just received some stuff for it in the mail. 1902 sight and screws along with 4 dummy rounds to play around with. :)
Attachment 133787
One of my favorite pics, remember it from when I was a kid and didn't know about Krags even. Shows they at least made it to Europe.Quote:
Originally Posted by butlersrangers
That is a really cool photo! I like it a bunch.
Just received some stuff for it in the mail. 1902 sight and screws along with 4 dummy rounds to play around with.
Attachment 133790
Correct rear sight looks and functions so much better than the old incorrect one.
Old Model 1896.
Attachment 133791
New Model 1902.
Attachment 133792
They tend to do that. Now you can flog the other and recoup some cost...Quote:
Originally Posted by scottz63
Yup, they do. :)Quote:
Originally Posted by browningautorifle
I would like to find the correct elevation knob to replace the broken off one on the 1896 sight. All I can find so far is 1898 and up.
You could place a WTB here in the correct forum on this site and perhaps someone has one...these guys have everything.Quote:
Originally Posted by scottz63
Perhaps my krag landed in Europe by this engineers...Quote:
Originally Posted by browningautorifle
Hard to say, would be nice to find out. Have we searched the number on yours?Quote:
Originally Posted by donki1967
If my notes are correct, Donki's Krag rifle has a serial number of 431788.
It has a nice 'N.J.' stamped on the tang of the butt-plate.
There is no SRS listing for that serial number and the New Jersey marking would suggest NJ National Guard use.
I would need a new slide base at this point. I took it apart last night to get the broken knob threaded shank out of the base. It had taken a pretty good hit at some point as it was bent down at the knob end. I was able to straighten it out but, the screw hole and threads are distorted beyond repair.Quote:
Originally Posted by browningautorifle
Sounds like it's more like something you should offer to others as parts. Someone would need it or undertake a fix...Quote:
Originally Posted by scottz63
There are those that swear by the 1902 sight, personally I prefer the M1901. The M1901 is a modernized version of the Buffington sight used on the Trapdoor Springfield. The M1903 and recalibrated M1906 sights used on the 1903 Springfield were directly developed from the M1901 sight. This is probably why the M1901 sight was retrofitted onto all then in-service Krag rifles in 1903. It must have made sight training more streamlined.
So yes your M1902 sight is more far correct than the M1896 however it would have left Springfield with a M1898 sight and would have been retrofitted to the M1901 sight and handguard had it still been in service in 1903.
I have included photos of the (from L to R) Buffington, M1901 and M1903/06 sights for comparison.
This is what a full length one looks like for comparison. I figured it was cut down (or a carbine) from the first photo.
https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo.../H3qiLB4-1.jpg
His looks more like my school gun.
Yes, been cut unfortunately. I like it though, very handy size. Almost exactly the same overall length and barrel length as my 1903A3.
Picked up an oiler for it a couple of days ago. Need the cleaning rods now.
Attachment 133922
Attachment 133923
I went for repros when I did it, they don't matter to a cut down modified rifle...Quote:
Originally Posted by scottz63
1 Original Springfield US Krag 3 Piece Cleaning Rod Set .30-40 Caliber | eBay
https://www.libertytreecollectors.co...dproduct=15059
Thanks. I am going for that exact set from Ebay you have a link to. Only $10 more shipped for the originals.
The originals are much better than the reproduction rods, oilers, and muzzle/sight protectors.
Yup, I always go for original stuff if I can get it.
Just picked up some 30-40 from Midway. :)
Attachment 133986
Ok I'm very happy you found some although it was very pricey. 5 boxes for me would be over $350. That's a significant portion of what I paid for my rifle.
Now you're going to have to post your targets. With a bore like yours they should be fairly impressive.
Yup, it was like $290 for ammo. Paid $450 for the Krag. Lol! Got 100 rounds now though. Gonna reload it so it will be much cheaper from now on.
I hope she is a good shooter. I will post up when I can find time to make it to the range.
Received all of the cleaning kit parts. All cleaned up and installed. :)
Attachment 134113
Attachment 134114
It's neat how they fit perfectly in the off center arrangement.
It is. The oil bottle drops in first then the rods go into three holes in the buttstock surrounding it. They all hold each other in place. Cool.Quote:
Originally Posted by browningautorifle
Just received a repro Kerr Nobuckl sling. Pretty nice one with aged hardware. I like it and it works well. Looks pretty good too.
It does, looks really close in both ways...accuracy and age. I've had my share of them and had one on my 1928 for 22 years. This one's nice.Quote:
Originally Posted by scottz63
Thanks. I really don't like reproduction anything and always try to go original. In this case I really had little choice. Original period correct slings for Krags are hard to find, expensive, and usually in bad shape. This one looks the part at far less expense and is a "working" sling as I will be using it for shooting. :)Quote:
Originally Posted by browningautorifle