Need Advice on Rifle and Pricing

Hello, I am interested in purchasing a Krag rifle from a guy and I am looking for advice on the pricing. The rifle is serial 127X and was made in 1898. I don't have much in the way of photos, but the most glaring issue is the left side of the receiver was drilled and tapped for a side mount scope (4 holes). The rifle's bluing is pretty sketchy on the receiver. The bore is, apparently, good. The seller is asking $500.00. The scope mount holes make me want to pass on it, but with the prices for full-length rifles getting so high (and hard to find) I'm wondering if I should pony up the bucks and grab this rifle for a shooter. Any thoughts on this? Thank you.
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For an in-person purchase, $500 isn't a terrible price for that rifle. I think I'd offer $400 and settle at $450.

If for no other reason than it has a full length stock that would be useful if you ran across one without scope mount holes but a cutdown stock.

Thanks Ryan. I already have a really nice condition Krag rifle that was cut back to make a short rifle eons ago. I suppose I could marry that receiver to this barrel and stock, but then I'd have gunsmithing and shipping charges probably at a couple of hundred bucks. That would make it a $700.00 proposition. If it gets that high I might just think it would be better go look for a rifle without the holes in the receiver, even if it did cost a couple more hundred.

Such a pity they have drilled through the lettering.. a "plug and tig" job can make the holes go away, but trying to match the markings makes it much more difficult to hide..

Why oh why do people want to bolt glass onto a historic rifle..?

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Originally Posted by bombdoc

Such a pity they have drilled through the lettering.. a "plug and tig" job can make the holes go away, but trying to match the markings makes it much more difficult to hide..

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Exactly what I'm thinking. Here where I am that would be nice to have as a shooter as there aren't many around. I have dies after all... Filling and blinding holes isn't bad but the lettering...well...

The price isn't bad. Otherwise it looks OK and you say the bore is good. I would just tread in some screws aND file them flush.

jn

Stuff like that makes you cringe . I understand that probably the person who did it way back when was more interested in hunting and putting food on the table but dang it's like someone putting a huge rear spoiler thing on a classic car . The complete stock is a big plus .

Guys, thank you very much. I really appreciate your comments. I think I'm probably going to pass on this rifle. Thanks again for your help.
Cliff

If you want I have a couple of 1898 Krag receivers you could use to fix the problem. If you are interested send me a message.

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Originally Posted by mark1

I have a couple of 1898 Krag receivers

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That would be a good way to sort it out...not too hard either.

Thanks Mark1 and BAR, but I've already passed on this rifle. Besides, spending $500+FFL transfer fees on the rifle, plus the cost of another receiver, plus the gunsmithing costs to do the job (I can't even put a screw in the wall accurately), plus the shipping and packaging costs, I might be approaching $700-$750 when I might be able to find another Krag without holes in the receiver. I'm not a pessimist, but just tossing that out.

Thanks,
Cliff

I just saw a listing from our newest? sponsor Simpson LTD of an 1898 Krag without a barrel. their price is 595. You could swap in your barrel and pick the best of the the other parts, then sell the excess. The extra full length stock alone is worth several hundred dollars and could offset the cost quite a bit. Then again if you only want a shooter, a brand new barrel is available from criterion, and sights can be had. Would probably end up at the same cost, sans the "rebate" from selling an original stock.
I don't think prices are likely to come down on these rifles - even for mixed parts shooters. Trolling gun broker for the last couple years even the sporterized krags have climbed in price - even before the mess of current events.

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Originally Posted by ssgross

I just saw a listing from our newest? sponsor Simpson LTD of an 1898 Krag without a barrel.

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He passed on the rifle four days ago...