Modified 1989 Krag

[boomer656]

I picked this 1898 Krag up 'on the cheap' a couple of days ago. It is on the other end of the spectrum from the Krag that rcathey just picked up. It will never come close to being collectable, but I do hope it will be a good shooter. The barrel is 24" with a Lyman front sight. I assume it is the original barrel. The only mark remaining on it is a P stamped into the barrel bottom just in front of the receiver. The added rear peep sight is marked Pacific. As you can see in the photo's, the handguard has a nasty crack that has received an even nastier repair. I'll be looking to replace that if it turns out the gun is a good shooter.

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[boomer656]

I see my fingers went dyslexic on me and my 1898.

[rcathey]

Nothing wrong with that!
Rather tastefully shortened. I had one once that was cut FLUSH with the front band. Goofy looking thing.
This one is a nice, honest sporter. I'd bet it made it possible for a family or two to eat meat during some lean times

EDIT: I've not bought from this site but this blank handguard would look nice since you have the peep sight. You'd be able to recoup nearly all your cost by selling the existing rear sight.
http://www.partsforantiqueguns.com/K...Handguards.htm

[boomer656]

Nothing wrong with that!
Rather tastefully shortened. I had one once that was cut FLUSH with the front band. Goofy looking thing.
This one is a nice, honest sporter. I'd bet it made it possible for a family or two to eat meat during some lean times

To my 'less than expert' eye, whoever did the original work did a very nice job..... and the person working on the hand guard -- not so much.

I've not bought from this site but this blank handguard would look nice since you have the peep sight. You'd be able to recoup nearly all your cost by selling the existing rear sight.
http://www.partsforantiqueguns.com/K...Handguards.htm

I did look at that web site and their replacement hand guards but hadn't thought of putting a complete blank on it. That's a great idea I'm going to have to give some serious consideration. I'm looking at a week or more until I can get it to the range, and I won't make any decision until after that.

[rcathey]

And if you do go that route, I wouldn't be a bit surprised if you could get $30 or so out of the existing handguard.
If you sold both, you'd essentially be able to get the blank handguard for free.
I spend a lot of my time justifying my own purchases in such a manner

[boomer656]

And if you do go that route, I wouldn't be a bit surprised if you could get $30 or so out of the existing handguard.
If you sold both, you'd essentially be able to get the blank handguard for free.
I spend a lot of my time justifying my own purchases in such a manner

Even more to consider. I had been thinking I might try to repair it .... not for re-use (or re-sell) but to see if it's within my ability to do a decent repair on something like that.

[browningautorifle]

I might try to repair it

Yup, clean all the crap out and try again. Not sure as usually there is only one good attempt and then the rest are just subsequent. It can't be worse though. Could prove to be a good shooter though.

[Dick Hosmer]

I once nearly broke my wrist lunging for the "Buy it Now" button on a Krag with the forestock cut FLUSH to the lower band. There was one saving grace - barrel was noted as being 26" long . . . . . . . and appeared to have an original front sight.

Guess I was too subtle with my original post - the rifle in question was purchased off Gunbroker for the paltry sum of $350, about five years ago. It is one of the 100 Board of Ordnance & Fortification trial arms made in 1902. Have still not stretched the stock. Yes, it does have the special 2100 yard sight.