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This Krag served with a veteran's organization as a ceremonial rifle. The stock was painted white and the metal black. Most of the paint on the metal had worn off while nearly all the paint on the stock remained. Thanks to StrypEze, it looks a bit better.
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Very nice...I love the cartouche!
That is a massive improvement.
Who *ever* thought painting the stock white was a good idea?
Kirk,
Good job. Now the old lady looks respectful once again. We all thank You!
DocBob
Yes, good job, she sure didn't look good in the "during" pictures. Kinda reminded me of my exwife. LOL
Not to be too much of a smarty, but why would they have painted it white in the first place?
Brian, some of those were used as parade or ceremonial rifles and were painted white.Quote:
Originally Posted by brianV
Kirk, wonderful job on it!
Oh, I realize why. I just can't comprehend it, and it breaks my heart to think of it. A white-painted stock can *never* look as good as an original wood stock in my books.Quote:
Originally Posted by Bill Hollinger
For some strange reason I also see the painted parade or ceremony rifle as being another collectable version also. More than likely a VFW post or maybe a high school rifle at one time but is there a chance it may have been a genuine Army base ceremony rifle? I believe CMP has a few left.
I think you did an outstanding job!
Bill:Quote:
Originally Posted by Bill Hollinger
This one came from the CMP and was the one in best overall condition there that day; there were perhaps 6-8 M1898s with painted stocks & metal and another 6-8 unpainted rifles. I reckon you are correct that a VFW or other veteran's group painted the rifle. From the quality of the paint job & evidence of the care or lack of care the rifles had, I doubt the Army did the work. One stock was cracked and screwed back together with wood screws; swivels were glued to the wood with paint; other rifles had chips missing from hand guards & stocks. Bores were clogged with debris from blank cartridges, etc. The safety on the rifle I bought had the safety replaced with a commercial Buheler safety.