W.Stokes Kirk Krag Carbine.

Gunsmith at Gander Mountain just took in what I feel is a 1930 Krag Short rifle made up by Mr. Kirk. Information came from Joe Poyer's book on the American Krag.

It has a a banded 1905 front sight and a unknown to me rear sight. The upper forearm is missing. Did not measure the barrel length.

It says 1898 on it and has a serial number of 29879. Price is $398.00 I believe.

No visible cartouche but it is dirty there on the wrist. Has IVAN scratched lightly in the stock and 14 notches by the butt plate! Deer or people notches, I do not know. I probably will pass on it...

The bolt does not have the usual round cocking handle (striker?) but it is shaped like a small barrel with a rough surface .

The cocking piece you describe is typical of the later 1899 Carbine.

Actually the striker is correct for either the 1898 rifle or 1899 carbine. They were built in @1899 and production reverted to the original style when it was found it actully cost more to produce the "headless" cocking peice than the original. They show up on more carbines. Probably because there were more carbines built during the breif prodution period than rifles. That serial number could even be in the correct range.

That serial # has a digit missing. No way 29879 is a model 98.

You are 100% correct. The serial number is 289719