Stokes Kirk and Sedgley Krags

[Frederick303]

Gents,

Here in Philly, near the site of the old Stokes Kirk and Sedgley Krag works one comes across old modified Krag rifles quite often. Some are definitely from these two firms, but some seem of a common pattern, but the origin remains a mystery. I am wondering is there a reference work that goes into these modified Krags in depth? I have a copy of the 1918 Stokes Kirk catalog and of course Brophy's 1980 Krag book, which is pretty much the only written references I know of that discuss these rifles in depth. Are there any others more updated references that deal specifically with the modified school Krags, cut down Krags and perhaps DCM variation carbines?

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[butlersrangers]

I believe the Stokes Kirk catalogs pretty much show that company's offerings. They seem to have stuck to improvised carbines using cut-down rifles and surplus parts. A lot of the Stokes Kirk guns will sport a 'banded front-sight' of their manufacture.

Sedgley is a bit trickier. Their company produced some high quality Krag and '03 Springfield sporting rifles with beautiful metal work and classic stocks.

Sedgley also turned out some BUDGET Krag 'Deer' rifles, using well worn, repaired & reworked surplus military parts.

I believe, Sedgley normally marked their work with an 'S' inside a Circle.

I have, what I call, a "Poor Boy" .30-40 Krag Sedgley hunting rifle. The barrel is a recycled .30-03 U.S. Springfield barrel made in 1905. The Krag receiver is stamped with a 'Circled S'. The cut-down rifle stock is thinned and much patched! A Marbles' #20S-KR receiver sight and Lyman banded front-sight were installed. It is UGLY, but, shoots & functions well.

Attachment 77841Attachment 77844

[butlersrangers]

More Stokes Kirk pages:

Attachment 77848Attachment 77847

[butlersrangers]

My 'Poor Boy' Sedgley Krag:

Attachment 77849Attachment 77850Attachment 77851Attachment 77852

[Frederick303]

I have a Sedgely school short rifle based on a 1894 dated 1892 pattern Krag rifle. Very nicely done. It and my 1898 rifle that seems to be assembled with a mix of old and new parts is why I am interested in these rifles. There does not seem to be much written on them as far as classification of the types, when made, etc.

[browningautorifle]

'Poor Boy'

Interesting way they rotated the barrel (and re cut the chamber I would think)...was that a rod bayonet '03 barrel repurposed? Rechambered to 30-40?

I read post 2 and see that's exactly what it is...

It would certainly be a sweet deer rifle too.

[butlersrangers]

'BAR' - That 1905 ('03) barrel has a near mint bore. It could have been in .30-03, then .30-06, and then in .30-40. It accepts Factory Ammo, but, has the tightest chamber of any of my Krags. With shortening at the breech, the indexed barrel ended up "upside-down". It shoots well.

[browningautorifle]

That 1905 ('03) barrel has a near mint bore.

It certainly would be. That's why it was chosen, could have been a take off or surplus for the obvious reasons. At the time an excellent choice. I'll bet it does shoot. Make me want one again for just shooting purpose, mine are all gone. Just brass and dies left now.

[butlersrangers]

'Frederick303' - IMHO, The Krags of Sedgley, Stokes Kirk, and Bannerman, were economy, utilitarian arms, assembled from assorted surplus parts during the Depression. They 'made-do' with available U.S. Military parts and some commercial parts to make inexpensive rifles.

Many Gun-Smiths (professional and amateur) did this. Sedgley, Stokes Kirk, and Bannerman just did it on a more extensive basis.

I don't think these arms fall into strict 'Types', (like official military models do). They were improvised, usually following carbine styling, made in limited numbers, using surplus/sold-off military parts. The stocks were often thinned-down and hand-guards were discarded to reduce weight.

Like yourself, I find these 'Hunting Krags' to be an interesting & collectable sub-species.

[butlersrangers]

Leroy Rice of Elyria, Ohio, made sheet-metal 'peep' sights and other accessories for 'home gun-smiths'. A lot of his products are present on altered Krag rifles.

I recently bought a 1949 'Mailing' of his products: