1898 Krag Carbine

I thought I would post a pic or two of this Krag carbine I picked up a few months ago. Now let me be the very first to say that I am extremely suspicious of any Krag carbine and especially a 1898. But that, being said I do believe that this one is the real deal and even if it isn't, I got it so cheap that I am super happy with it.

So here are the particulars:
Receiver marked "Model 1898 U.S. Springfield Armory 123905. This is dead nuts in the middle of the known '98 carbine serial number range.
Stock is the correct style for a 1898 carbine, has a sling ring and bar, the cartouche is dated 1898 and it does NOT have a plug where a cleaning rod channel would have been so it is a real carbine stock.
Barrel is exactly 22" long.
Original rear sight was missing and until I can locate the correct sight, I have installed a 1896 rifle sight I had laying around.

Records show that there were only 5000 of the 1898 carbines produced and I have never personally seen an original '98 carbine that wasn't upgraded with the 1899 stock and later rear sight.

https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...G_8522XL-1.jpg
https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...G_8524XL-1.jpg
https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...G_8527XL-1.jpg

Cartouche is somewhat worn and is a bear to photograph clearly, but it is a boxed JSA over 1898.
https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...G_8476XL-1.jpg

Lovely.

HP, Nice. It's hard to find an unmessed with Krag. Hope you find a sight. Salt Flat

The rear sight will cost a bit but you can find them. Nice carbine...

Looks good to me. If you bought the gun real cheap you have money towards the sight All in all, the rifle sight is not a huge problem for a wall display. YOU know it's not right, but 98% of casual viewers won't have a clue - and you need a nice-looking one, which won't be easy or inexpensive. Just having a carbine sight - if the patina and color don't match the gun - will look far worse than a matching rifle one which needs close inspection to tell that it's wrong.