Krag 1898- Rifle or carbine?

[Francis Marion]

I own a US Krag 1898 that is now in 'carbine' configuration. I doubt that this is a genuine carbine, but I'm chiefly interested in it as a shooter, and interested in what configuration it was originally made.

Is it possible to associate a serial number to rifle production or to carbine production? Serial number is in the low 132,000 range.

Stock is walnut, no numbers or stamps are visible. The forend has been patched skillfully with a rectangular plug, probably to cover a cleaning rod hole. The shape, form of the forend appear to be consistent with carbine photos that I have seen. There is no 'saddle ring' on the stock.

Stampings-
Receiver:
MODEL 1898.
U.S. SPRINGFIELD ARMORY.
132XXX
Barrel band, "U"
Rear sight base- "H"
Bolt handle: distinct "Z".Partial letter that could be an E,R,P or F. Partial X.

The rear sight consists of a sliding tangent U notch (with flip-up peep), is graduated from "2" to "20". Notch sight is adjustable for windage, and there are reference marks for windage adjustment.

The front sight reminds me of an '03 springfield or Mauser in overall design, but it is a commercial sight, I think. The front sight assembly consists of a collar which surrounds the barrel; the sight blade dovetails into this collar. "WESTSITE" is stamped into the front sight blade. It is thus unlike every authentic Krag front sight (brazed post onto barrel, no adjustment) that I have seen photographed.

From the muzzle to the fore edge of the cartridge loading opening in the receiver, it's 24 1/4 inches.

If the serial number matches up to a carbine- least likely possibility- somebody sporterized the front sight. Or more likely it's a modified rifle.

Either way, it's a shooter with a very good condition barrel.

But what do I have here- originally a rifle, or a carbine?

Thanks for any insight.

-FM

Information

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[RudyN]

If the front sight looks like a 1903 front sight it is a Krag rifle that has had the barrel cut down to resemble a carbine. That was done to lots of Krag rifles so that they would be easier to carry while hunting. I have one that was cut down like that and also have a full size Krag rifle. As far as I have been able to find out Springfield Armory did not keep a record of which receivers were for carbines and which were for rifles as they both used the same receiver. Hope this helps.

[Salt Flat]

FM Yes, I will second Rudy's comments. From your description it is definitely a cutdown rifle. Also note the M1898 carbines fall in the serial range 123161-130965. (Still a cool thing to have!) Salt Flat

[butlersrangers]

Francis Marion: It definitely sounds like your Model 1898 Krag is a cut-down infantry rifle. A Krag carbine barrel is exactly 22 inches long, measured from closed bolt face to muzzle crown, (using a cleaning rod to 'gauge' it).
Your stock is a cut-down rifle stock with a wood plug inserted into the exposed 'lightening cut'. Carbine stock fore-arms were machined a bit differently so that the 'tip' area was solid wood.
Your rear sight description identifies your sight as the Model 1902 rear sight. Your front sight is a commercial addition. Countless Krag rifles were altered by 'gunsmiths', professional and amateur, during the 1920s to 1940s to make them useful 'hunting rifles'.


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[Francis Marion]

Thanks all. So it's not original configuration; that's OK. Now I know how it started out.

-FM

[Dick Hosmer]

FM Yes, I will second Rudy's comments. From your description it is definitely a cutdown rifle. Also note the M1898 carbines fall in the serial range 123161-130965. (Still a cool thing to have!) Salt Flat

Absolutely agree about the gun in question being a cutdown, and wish to note that it illustrates the problem with identifying 1898 Carbines. However, the range quoted is seriously in error. Legitimate, correct, specimens are known as low as 112xxx, but the big spikes in officially recorded numbers occur in the 118-119-120xxx range. Here is a picture of 131024, which has several close neighbors.

[butlersrangers]

In the 1920s, Krag rifles were surplus, cheap, and plentiful. A 1928 "American Rifleman" article reported them selling for $1.50 and extolled their virtues as an inexpensive hunting arm, with remodeling.
Gunsmiths, Gun-sight companies, and Sporting Goods Dealers probably found 'sporterizing' Krags their 'Bread & Butter'!
Although collectability and value are lessened, many of these modified Krags are quite useful, shootable, and some are still handsome! They have great 'play value' and can be used without guilt of damaging a valuable 'Collector Item'.

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[butlersrangers]

FM: Here are some pictures to show how your Model 1898 Krag looked before it was altered for 'Hunting'. (My 'shooter' at Range, improvised shooting sling, Kemper Military School, circa 1913, in Missouri).

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