'98 Krag Carbine

[JOHN42768]

Hi all, I just purchased a '98 carbine ser.#127270, 22" barrel, saddle bar/ring, '98 cartoushe, '96C rear sight and mortised front sight. It is not in the SRS listings. You can see photos at Guns International site #100226578. Hopefully I didn't miss anything in the photos. Comment would be appreciated. Thanks, John

Information

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[jon_norstog]

John,

The 1898 carbine is a rare bird, and one that is often faked. I'm not the expert on SN ranges, but eventually 5MF or Hosmer will pick up on your post and weigh in. My own thought is that most of the real '98 carbines got heavily used during or after the SAW and were arsenal refurbed. When they did that they usually updated the sights and the wood.

That said, a Krag is a work of art that you can shoot, and the Krag carbine was easily the best hunting rifle ever produced by Springfield Arsenal. Real or fake, you've got something good.

jn

[JOHN42768]

Hi Jon, Thanks for your comments. The rear sight is correctly C marked and the front sight is mortised in. This will be my fifth Krag. I won't have it in my hands for about 10 days. Then I can look it over really closer. I do have some additional photos. If you would like to see them send me a PM with your email. They are being looked over by Ned at the Krag collector site. I know there are also knowledgeable collectors here also, some of the same people. Just from the sale photos, no red flags at this point. I'm hoping it will fit blend in with the '96 & '99 carbines I own. John

[JOHN42768]

Hi Jon, I forgot to mention, OD of muzzle measures .635". According to the books this is the correct diameter. John

[andiarisaka]

The serial # I believe is in the proper range, you may have found a real one.

[JOHN42768]

Hi Andiariska, Yes, it is well in the proper range. I just heard back from Ned (one of the founders) at Krag Collector Assoc. and after looking at the photos he also thinks it is the real deal. I'm a happy camper right now. John

[Harlan (Deceased)]

Hi John,

Can you provide a link to your sale? I must be doing something incorrectly, but I couldn't find it by searching the Guns International site with 100226578 or the SN 127270 .

I would just like to see it! -

Thanks, Harlan

[JOHN42768]

Hi Harlan, I just checked and gunsinternational no longer shows it, but it is still listed under the sellers web site. Firing Line - Antique Collectible Firearms, Antique guns and Collectible firearms for sale listed under military #68590. If you still are unable to view or would like additional, please pm your email and I will send them to you one or two at a time as they that up a lot of space. Everything I can see is correct for the '98 carbine. All marking,barrel, stock, saddle bar/ring, cartouse, C marked sights, serial number range & dimensions are all correct. I should receive it by Monday. It was in from the estate of an elderly (90+) gentleman who found it as a young man in a house about 40 miles from Ft. Reily, Ks. The photos have been looked at by Ned from KCA and he also could find no red flags. There are only a few listed in the SRS. Out of the 5002 that were produced it is known over 3000 were updated to '99 specs. So of the less then 2000 original left, very few escaped the many changes and survived being issued for out west and the Philippines. Let me know your thoughts, Thanks, John