Krag Model Barrel Interchangeability

[rcathey]

All,

I seem to have read somewhere (and can't find it now) that one model of the Krag had a different barrel thread than the others. Anyone have any idea on this?

I ask because I recently came across a sporterized Krag with a full length barrel with a quite nice bore. I'm thinking about putting this barrel on my Krag (The Kentucky Krag, you might recall).

The donor is stamped as a 1894 and it has serial number 11141.

What do you guys think?

Thanks!

Information

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[browningautorifle]

From what I have here, all US Krags '92 - '99 used 10 square TPI. Outside should be 1.040"... The Dane and Norwegian were different from US and each other. There are others that will be along to confirm or deny...

[carbineer]

On US Krags it is not the threads but the cut at the breach end that is different. Early barrels had a square edge cut on the end of the barrel and later versions had a rounded/tapered (very slight) cut where the barrel meets the receiver. I don't have the exact cut off in my mind right now, but that barrel if original to that receiver will not work on a later model receiver.
(Norwegians have a left hand thread)

[rcathey]

That answers that! I thought there was something different.
Thanks for the clarification!!

[browningautorifle]

So, where does that leave it? Where are you going to go with this one? The barrel coming off should give you pattern for replacement...

[rcathey]

It'll probably be put up for sale for someone else to restore their rifle.
Mine has a full length barrel it just has a pitted bore. This would have been a cheap upgrade is all. It will be able to help someone else though once I find it a home!

[carbineer]

Did some digging. change to rear of barrel was done around 213,000 beginning July 1899.
So if your Kentucky Krag falls before that serial # you should be OK

[rcathey]

Did some digging. change to rear of barrel was done around 213,000 beginning July 1899.
So if your Kentucky Krag falls before that serial # you should be OK

The plot thickens! Mine is 118749. I’ll compare this barrel to the one I took off. Thanks for the info!!

[browningautorifle]

I’ll compare this barrel to the one I took off.

I'd have thought you did that if possible. I still think this is possible...the switch.

[Dick Hosmer]

The barrel end profile change is but one of the "issues" with Krags that had also occurred with the 'trapdoor' only a very few years before, the other being the thin-wrist stock. It is like they paid absolutely ZERO attention to history. As far as the barrel goes, the fix (on either rifle) is simply to round off the end of the shank. "Late" barrels fit "early" receivers, in both arms, so the need to do the machining is seldom required. Of course I'm talking TD/TD and Krag/Krag here - there is NO interchangeability between rifle models!