Found a project

I fell in love with the 1898 Krag I posted a few weeks ago, so went looking for another. Found what I will describe as a work in progress. An 1898 Krag with a 1901 sight and a cut and cracked stock. But the bore is shootable and its an antique (I think). Got it cleaned up and looks like I will need a couple of rear sight parts and a representative stock+metal parts to get it back to correct configuration. The rear sight needs a rear screw for the base and the binding screw for the slide. Welcome any thoughts or suggestions on how to proceed. Remember I am a Krag novice.

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I'd go into Ebay and have a look. The screws are usually there. There's a site I remember but can't find off hand, that has parts for sights but not always the ones you want...then too maybe a WTB here will help?

Yes, I've started searches on gunbroker and eBay and found a couple of places that sell parts. Some are not original though. I will probably hold off on stock parts until I see what's available for a stock.. Be nice to find a 1898 stamped stock.

It might be easier to get an unmarked stock. That might be doable... Is it a carbine or what? What's the other side of the sight marked?

Sorry I didn't say, it's a rifle. 147194. Sight is unmarked. There was an unmarked stock on eBay, but had a slight crack at the rear of the cut out area, so didn't bid.

Is the barrel full length then? Front sight intact? If you watch you'll eventually find a rifle stock easier than a carbine for sure. Unmarked is more common and cheaper for sure. You might even find one here with a WTB ad. The small parts you seek will show up but takes a bit of time...don't settle for a cut up stock, but you might have to pay. Your alternative of course is just buy a complete Krag, they're actually reasonable compared to refurbishment...most of the time.

Yes its a full length rifle with intact front sight. The sellers picture of the whole rifle is below. I'll keep my options open then. Thanks for the advice.

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Kerry, The stock looks like a possible candidate for restoration. Most cracks can be repaired and I think someone makes a replacement forearm and handguard. I made my own and will post a picture. Salt flat

On this Krag, I made the forearm spliced it onto the stock. The wrist was badly cracked (as bad or worse than yours). I glued and screwed it back together. Hardest part is to get the stock colors and finish to match. Salt Flat

Thanks Salt Flat. Your project turned out pretty nice! In researching this I did see that you can get forearms to repair hacked up stocks. I would seriously consider this if I knew anything about woodworking, but I don't . Maybe I can find someone locally. Worth looking into though.

'Kerry49' - Model 1901 sight parts are available from 'Movieman' on ebay and from S&S Firearms (Glendale, N.Y.), catalog viewable on-line.

Thanks for the pointers for parts. Some of tHe S&S parts are reproduction. Any thoughts on those?

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Originally Posted by Kerry49

reproduction

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So, if you're going to use a piece of walnut to fix the front end, is it original? I'd say whatever works, for effect. If they fit and function and look OK...?

Actually, I was more concerned that these repro items might be poor quality or not fit right, etc. from what I have observed so far there doesn't appear to be the focus on original/matching that there is in say the k98k collector market.. In any event I'm just trying to get a representative shootable rifle out of this project. Sorry if I pressed the wrong button.

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Originally Posted by Kerry49

repro items might be poor quality or not fit right

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I worried later that you might take that wrong...sometimes they don't fit. True... These guys will know what works and what doesn't though. Numrich might not be the right place to get repro parts though. Many of theirs don't do so well. I bought a repro three piece rod and oiler from them and they were about perfect though...

Update . I'm still working this project. Got all the hardware, original parts. Found a guy to repair my stock, but he knows an old Krag guy and is going to run it by him. They maybe can find a source for an 1898 rifle stock, which I believe is the year of mfg. of my rifle. No one here did an Srs check on this number, but Poyers book on Krags seems to indicate last calendar quarter 1898. I almost got an 1898 marked stock off eBay, but was outbid in the last minute by $1.50. Needless to say I was PO'd. But it had a crack in the wrist that needed to be repaired. I already have one of those. So progress and frustration. I put up want to buys here and on gunboards, but no serious prospects in 6 weeks. I know an unmolested 1898 marked rifle stock will be hard to find, so I am just staying steady on course.

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Originally Posted by Kerry49

147194.

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Originally Posted by Kerry49

No one here did an Srs check on this number,

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There's no hit in the book.

Thanks for the check on srs. The other question is manufacture date to confirm this rifle is an antique. The dealer where i did the transfer didn't have a clue, so I paid for a normal transfer.

You'd need to have someone in official position check the Springfield Research for the date of manufacture. Me telling you won't make them believe you... The book shows 147209 being made in '99 though. And it comes after yours.

Thanks for info. What is the feeling about the table provided in Joe Poyer's book on serial numbers by calendar month and year? Is it worth anything as a guide? I'm not trying to argue with you, just curious about the feelings on accuracy in that book. Springfield arsenal operated on a fiscal year starting in July so it's a little confusing when talking about what year a rifle was made.

Most don't pay too much attention to things Poyer writes. I think the feeling is his info is gleaned second hand. I only have one of his books and it's just for the pretty pictures.