1898 Krag Questions

Bought a Krag at auction several years ago.

Seems to be in pretty good shape but I have a few questions.
Serial number puts it at a birth date of 1901. There's also a date of 1901 and some fancy script initials stamped in the stock on the left side, and two marks on stock behind the trigger guard on the grip one being a U ans the other appears to be maybe two characters or symbols that I just cannot identify.. Also, I found a three piece cleaning rod under the trap in the shiny(but not plated) butt plate.

Seems to be pretty much original to my untrained eye.

I have fired a few rounds and cannot figure out the case ejection system. Extraction is perfect and there seems to be a small lever that pivots up when the bolt is fully retracted. However, the case is not tossed out of the action like I would expect. Anyone have an idea or comment?

I have wondered about the finish on the stock, anyone know what was used? It's dark and very smooth, not sticky or gummy. No real blemishes other that some dings in the wood. No brush marks either.

Value guess?

couple of pics.

https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...P1050285-1.jpg

https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...P1050282-1.jpg

https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...P1050278-1.jpg

One of the marks behind the triggerguard is a script p in a circle, it's the firing proof, sometimes a rifle will have more than one. Any other letters or numbers there are either the stock fitter's mark, or the mark of the fellow that did the proof firing. As far as ejection goes, sounds like you're babying the bolt, there's no spring, so the quicker you bring it back, the quicker that little lever comes up to eject the empty. Don't worry, it'll stop when it gets all the way back without harming anything. So you're bubba's friend, well he's my cousin, so I ought to know you! Oh, the finish, boiled linseed oil, it dries, isn't gummy. Sometimes it's cosmoline that the stock has absorbed over the years too, I have one that must be 5lbs heavier than my others from absorbed cosmoline. It has so much oil in it the cartouche stands proud of the stock!

'sFriend,

I am not the best person to give you a value on your rifle, but I am getting a sense of things Krag in the market. First, it surprises me how much they are worth! Therefore, prepare to be surprised. Your rifle looks original and correct, so I'm assuming it is. I would guess $900-1000, add another 50 or 100 for the cleaning rod, add same if it has a decent bore. If you can document the rifle, tie it to a unit or an individual, that would add a lot.

It's too young to have served in the Spanish American War, but could have been in the Phillipines, China, or maybe even Mexico. ANd it is a good-looking rifle.

Too bad they can't talk!

jn

Jon & andiarisaka

Thanks for both of your responses to my questions.

They have been very helpful. Perhaps I'm lucky that this particular rifle did not see active duty in the war. I suspect that it would have had some rough treatment and I actually prefer the condition that this particular is in from many that I have seen.

Did a search on the cleaning rod that's in the butt. Wow, I think I got a bonus with this one, clean, smooth, no rust and no pits. The bore is bright, shiny and has well defined rifling. One of these days I will probably take it out for a little exercise at the range.

Thanks again for your responses.

jeff

ps. my friend Bubba lives in North Carolina. We used to shoot together before I retired and moved to the mountains

Your stock - in fact the entire rifle - looks just like my "sewerpipe" 98. My rifle was purchased at Deep River Armory in Houston in about 1967.