1898 .30-40 Krag Sporter

[usabaker]

When we were kids, my best friend's dad had an 8-foot gun cabinet that he kept in my friends room (unlocked of course it was the 70's). I was 14 or 15 years old during this particular date and I was hanging out in my friend Al's room one late afternoon and his father walked in. He handed Al a rifle bag and said I bought a new rifle.
Al opened up the bag and inside it was a .30-40 Krag Sporter. As we handled the rifle his dad told us about the rifle. He handed us a box of shells, which I think is the same box that I have on my desk as I write this, and we took a trip out to “the field” and took a few shots with it.
I fell in love with that Krag today that exact childhood rifle is sitting on my workbench. She’s seen a lot of time pass in storage since my friend's dad passed away some 27 years ago and it needs a bit of tender loving care. I can’t wait to take her to the range and fire her again, some 45 years later.

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Information

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[usabaker]

Here are some more pictures

[usabaker]

I'm pretty sure this is the same box of ammo form the 70's we shot.

[butlersrangers]

'usabaker' - That is a nice altered model 1898 Krag. Your photos of the bore look very good! It is neat the personal history you have with this 'sportered' Krag.

The model 1892 rear-sight was likely put on when this Krag was altered for 'Hunting'.

Frank Mallory's book, "The Krag Rifle Story", 2nd edition, has appendix tables listing the Krag serial numbers he found in his research of official documents.

Krag, #172213, is listed as a model 1898 Rifle, issued 07-15-1899, to the 26th U.S. Volunteer Infantry.
The "U.S. Volunteer Regiments" were raised in 1899, to address the Philippine Insurrection. The 26th U.S. Volunteer Inf. is a different unit than the U.S. 26th Infantry (Regular Army).

It is neat your Krag is "documented". IIRC - Less than 5% of U.S. Krag serial numbers were found in Mallory's research (a.k.a. "SRS Data" - Springfield Research Services).

p.s. Krag, #172213, was assembled around January or February, 1899, at Springfield Armory.

[usabaker]

The stock, is it a Reinhart Faegan? Or is it a modified Springfield

Hi Jim, I wouldn't know how to tell if it was a Reinhart Faegan. Doesn't look to be a modified Springfield though. I did notice that the stock is not cut out for the side plate and there looks to be a bit of recoil damage. I pulled the action out of the stock and its pretty ruff inletting. I may have to bed the rifle if I keep it in this configuration, which Its what I think I might do, not sure I'm kind of split on it because of the personal history. Sure would be nice in its original configuration though.

[usabaker]

'usabaker' - ... The model 1892 rear-sight was likely put on when this Krag was altered for 'Hunting'..... Krag, #172213, is listed as a model 1898 Rifle, issued 07-15-1899, to the 26th U.S. Volunteer Infantry.
The "U.S. Volunteer Regiments" were raised in 1899, to address the Philippine Insurrection. ... p.s. Krag, #172213, was assembled around January or February, 1899, at Springfield Armory.

butlersranger.. Wow, thank for the history on this rifle, something totally unexpected and that I did not think I would ever know. It just makes it that much sweeter. I wonder if there were a way to know if this rifle actually made it to the Philippines and back.

I do wonder why they would change the rear site and if it would be worth putting the correct one back.

Thanks again for all the info.

[usabaker]

Makes me feel like I said nothing...not worth time.

Not my intent Jim, I thought I had thanked you as well for that information. I guess I got hung up on the stock info and totally forgot to add the tank you for the history on the rifle. Seem to always get ahead of myself. Sorry about that.

[butlersrangers]

I believe the stock may have been a rough blank from Herters, (Waseca, Wisconsin), that was poorly fitted by a hobbyist.

It appears 'Herters' - 'Since 1953' (or 1933) is molded in the butt-plate, shown in OP's photos.

Herters was a mail order outdoor equipment supplier. They had a huge catalog! Gun Stock blanks were one of their major offerings.

'Usabaker' - I would advise correcting inletting and 'glass-bedding' barreled-action in 'Herters' stock. It is the Krag you fell in love with long ago ... stabilize stock and Enjoy!

[rcathey]

take a look at item number 4007 on this website. It might be able to give you some more info on the 26th.
Website store - Spanish American War

[usabaker]

'Usabaker' - I would advise correcting inletting and 'glass-bedding' barreled-action in 'Herters' stock.

I think you are right. I spent a bit of time looking at the stock and the action of the Krag and I'm guessing that the designer decided that the back of the receiver and magazine was good enough for use as a recoil lug. If that's the case then it explains the damage at the tang since the inletting is so bad. I have to wonder though, with the floor of the stock being so thin, the distance between screws that connect the trigger guard to the receiver, and no support at the front of the receiver if just those to screw, adding pillars and bedding is enough. The muzzle jump has to be stressing the stock, or at least I would think it would.

Oh, and at a closer look, I think you were right, because of the cut-out on the left side this may have been a Herter Springfield stock made to fit the Krag.