Mauserdad,

My take on it is that your carbine may have started life that way or more likely was a rifle. The stock and hardware don't add up for me. The sight is a 1902 model, late model handguard, earlier staock with saddle ring .... Badger's pictures show the usual end-of-life configuration for Kragicon carbines: 1901 sight, no saddle ring, late-model handguard. A lot of them were fitted with sling swivels.

I would say do some checking. You may have a collection of valuable parts, rather than an original '98 carbine.

Maybe 5MF will check in on it?

jn