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Hello Everyone,
New to the forum and looking for some information on a rifle I happened to purchase at auction this past weekend. I stumbled across an 1898 Krag SN 178696. I am wondering if there is any info out there on this rifle. Thank you for any help that you can provide. It is greatly appreciated.
'rvan84' - Your Model 1898 Krag rifle, #178696, was first assembled at Springfield Armory around March of 1899.
Initially, it likely entered service with a model 1896 rear-sight. In all probability, it was later updated to a model 1901 or model 1902 rear-sight, with adjustment for windage.
It would be interesting to see photographs of your Krag.
Thank you for the info. I just picked up the rifle this morning. I will try to get some pictures together to post. Are there any key components or areas that are of higher interest?
Here are a few photos that I took. I tried to find any markings that were readily seen.
Nice polish and reblue on this one. Is this wood what's known as Italian walnut?
Thanks for the compliment. I am unsure what wood the stock is. I am definitely aware that this is a refinish job. It appears there are some stamps that might have been sanded away. The bluing appears to be really well done. Even with that, there appears to be very little wear on the rifle and the bore/chamber also appear to be in very good shape. This is the very first one I have ever seen in real life and happened to get it for a really good price.
Exactly my point, 555 mirror polish on the magazine plate and the rest is done so the numbers/letters aren't looking like they're melting. I'll bet the bore is stellar as that's the ones that are chosen for retention and refurbishment. Butlersrangers will be able to tell us what the wood is, maybe just straight grain black walnut...don't know. Just looks nicer than I'm used to.Quote:
Originally Posted by rvan84
Wow! That’s a beautiful rifle…almost sexy. I know if hurts the “collector” value when a rifle is refinished but damn….that is a nice looking rifle. Can you tell if it’s a chemical or rust blued?
I am actually not sure which it is. I don't know enough to be able to tell the difference. I only paid $600 for it so I feel like I did ok even with the refinish.
It’ll be easy to tell if it’s cold bluing if you bump it off something and it scratches easy. To me, cold bluing looks like a thin layer of paint, especially in tiny lines and in corners. Rust bluing is the original finish done by a controlled process that makes the metal rust slightly and then it’s converted to black rust. Weird but they use rust to protect it from rust.
If thats the case it appears to be more of a rust bluing. I've seen the process before but was unsure of the difference in finish.
That's not cold blue. A professional is a hot blue bath and it gives the deep luster like that. It could also be hand applied rust blue...that was the original application.
Thank you for all the info you have provided. I'm looking forward to getting ready to shoot it and put it through its paces.
rvan84 - Unfortunately your picture posting was possibly damaged by the recent system updates.
I get an error message when I try to view your images. I suspect that might be true for everyone now.
Yes, the pics are gone. He should reload them, I was waiting to see if you came along...Quote:
Originally Posted by butlersrangers
I have tried to upload the photos again but it doesn't seem to be letting me. Not sure if there are still issues.
You'll need to re-save those pics as another name on your computer before re-using them.Quote:
Originally Posted by rvan84
Reupload
That is one attractive rifle! Wood and bluing really work well together. Reminds me of an older Smith revolver.
The left magazine plate shows purple which indicates a high Nickle content or cool bluing salts... That polish would need to be a hand done with fine paper to be so clean and no stretched marks. Hard detailed work. I ask Butlersrangers again, is that Italian walnut you think? Maybe some passerby will know for sure?
Browningautorifle - I believe the stock is Italian walnut and the handguard may be American black-walnut. It is rather hard to tell because the wood has been stained and some type of finish has been applied.
IMHO - The grain in the wrist suggests Italian walnut.
Attachment 122347
Thank you for all the comments. I have done a cursory tear down and it appears that the same care was taken to refinishing all metal pieces hidden by the stock as well. It appears that it was likely completed a while back. The oil residue underneath the bands has had time to dry up and begin to gel. The goal is to tear it and a 1917 from the same auction down and give them a good cleaning.
I just wondered as it looks different from what I've seen in Krags past.Quote:
Originally Posted by butlersrangers
It's absolutely gorgeous! My sons would tell me that it looks like it would have when I served in the 1899 Army :cool: