My First Krag, Would Appreciate Some Insight

[jon_norstog]

MX, it looks like the real deal to me. I had a carbine of similar vintage, marked 1895 model. It too had been "upgraded" with the 1901 sight and newer wood. Like yours, mine was sans handguard, mainly 'cause I took it off and lost it. Yours looks like it might have seen tropical service - the Army didn't issue gun-cleaning supplies and the troops would use bacon grease to keep their Krags from rusting solid. It rained practically every day. You could get the right barrel band and a handguard pretty easy. A few of those carbines had sling swivels added - arsenal or field modification. Those are a lot easier to haul around the woods hunting.

Overall I'd say the Krag carbine is easily the best hunting rifle ever made by Springfield Arsenal. Good luck with yours.

jn

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[mxracer_84]

MX, it looks like the real deal to me. I had a carbine of similar vintage, marked 1895 model. It too had been "upgraded" with the 1901 sight and newer wood. Like yours, mine was sans handguard, mainly 'cause I took it off and lost it. Yours looks like it might have seen tropical service - the Army didn't issue gun-cleaning supplies and the troops would use bacon grease to keep their Krags from rusting solid. It rained practically every day. You could get the right barrel band and a handguard pretty easy. A few of those carbines had sling swivels added - arsenal or field modification. Those are a lot easier to haul around the woods hunting.

Overall I'd say the Krag carbine is easily the best hunting rifle ever made by Springfield Arsenal. Good luck with yours.

jn

Jon, thanks for the info and sharing about some pretty interesting history! Are there any tell-tale signs that make you think mine may have seen tropical service and gotten the bacon fat treatment? I've found some Krag reproduction handguards at this site here, would I be needing the 01 handguard since I have the upgraded 1901 rear sight? As for the barrel band there seems to be a few different carbine bands, do you know which one I might need or point me in a direction where I could find that info? I heard about a guy named Joe DeChristopher who had a lot of parts but unfortunately it seems he has passed away. Is there anyone else with a parts cache like he had? I can't wait to get loading and shoot this thing, I think I might even take it hunting next fall. Thanks for the help!

[RudyN]

I have bought some parts from S&S Firearms in New York. Here is their link:

S S Firearms Home