Newly-acquired Model 1898 Rifle

[John Beard]

I just acquired Model 1898 rifle, S/N 325549. I believe the rifle to be all original. If anyone would like any data from it, please reply.

And I have a question. In lieu of a subinspector's number between the trigger guard and encircled "P" proof mark, it has tiny serifed initials "R.D.R." The initials are about 3/32" tall and are stamped longitudinally along the bottom of the stock. Does anyone know what these mean? Please advise.

Thanks!

John Beard

Information

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[chuck in idaho]

Hi John
Welcome to the world of Krags. Several years ago when RTL purchased his first Krag, I mentioned to him to be careful, they are addictive. I think Rick owns 4 or 5 now. We'll have to see if you can stop at only one!

The "RDR" is a sub inspector mark. You will find 2 numbers or 2-3 letters in that spot. The subinspectors are unknown.

Your rifles s/n puts it's date of manufacture about May 1901. Cartouche should be "JSA/1901" in a box with cliped corners. As issued the rifles rear sight would have been a Model 1896. A Model 1901 or a Model 1902 would also be correct if the rifle was updated.
Go here to determine which rear sight you have Krag Collectors Association
Go to Photos and scroll down to the bottom of the page.

Congradulations on the Krag
Chuck

[John Beard]

Hi John
Welcome to the world of Krags. Several years ago when RTL purchased his first Krag, I mentioned to him to be careful, they are addictive. I think Rick owns 4 or 5 now. We'll have to see if you can stop at only one!

The "RDR" is a sub inspector mark. You will find 2 numbers or 2-3 letters in that spot. The subinspectors are unknown.

Your rifles s/n puts it's date of manufacture about May 1901. Cartouche should be "JSA/1901" in a box with cliped corners. As issued the rifles rear sight would have been a Model 1896. A Model 1901 or a Model 1902 would also be correct if the rifle was updated.
Go here to determine which rear sight you have Krag Collectors Association
Go to Photos and scroll down to the bottom of the page.

Congradulations on the Krag
Chuck

Thanks for the feedback!

My rifle does indeed have a "JSA/1901" inspection stamp and a Model 1901 rear sight.

I wouldn't mind having a nice Model 1896 rifle. But, I will not actively pursue one. And I think I can stop there.

My rifle's stock is orange-colored and has pronounced tiger-striping. The inspection stamp is exceptionally crisp.

J.B.

[chuck in idaho]

John,
Sounds like you have one of the Italian walnut stocked rifles, GREAT find!
Any chance of a picture?
The Italian walnut was used because of a shortage of American black walnut in 3 s/n ranges form late 1899 to early 1901.

The late Bill Mook collected them. Here's some information he had posted in the past:

"I started collecting the "yellow Italian walnut" stocked Krag rifles in 1977. The problem I had in attempting to get a box of 10 was to get a three-way match of cartouche dates, serial numbers and rear sights by model and variation.

The first group of the rifles have stocks with 1899 and 1900 dated cartouches. They use the Model of 1898 sights. The serial numbers on my 6 fall between 234,502 and 268,788.

The second group have stocks with 1900 and 1901 dated cartouches. They use the Model of 1896, Variation 4 sights. The serial numbers on my 10 fall between 278,978 and 309,881.

The third group, which are those pictured, have stocks with 1901 dated cartouches. They have Model of 1901, Variation 1 rear sights. The serial numbers fall between 322,031 and 329,350.

Will try to get a good picture of them in the shipping box.
Bill Mook"

From Bill's information your rifle IS correct with the M1901 rear sight.

FWIW: I have 4 of the IT. walnut stocked Krags and always looking for more.

HTH
Chuck

[mbarrad]

The Italian walnut was used because of a shortage of American black walnut in 3 s/n ranges form late 1899 to early 1901.

Hmmm.. I initially thought the Italian walnut was a mistake from the contractor that sold the military the walnut wood for the Krags. I would like to know which is correct.

Congratulations John and welcome to the world of Krags. Sounds like you have a very nice Krag!

[chuck in idaho]

Interesting, I had not heard of the mistaken wood shipments before. I would be interested in hearing more about them?

If you have a copy of The Krag Rifle Story by Mallory & Olsen check page 98. Mallory mentions that Windmueller & Roelker were the company that supplied the stocks and Springfield that approved the shipments. Bill Mook was the person that got me started on the Italian walnut stocked Krags and he had passed the information on to me in one of our conversations.

Regards
Chuck

[John Beard]

Chuck,

Many thanks for the information!

I have Mallory and Olsen's book and was aware of the Italian Walnut Krags. But, they mention that the wood was acquired in 1898. So, I was skeptical that my rifle might have been a bit late for the Italian Walnut. Nevertheless, I knew it had a strong resemblance to Italian Walnut and I'm very pleased to learn that it really is one of them.

I don't have picture capability at the moment. But, perhaps soon. The rifle appears to be in splendid original condition with about 70% original finish.

Thanks again for the information!

J.B.

p.s.,

Should the bolt handle be blued or bright? The bolt in my rifle is bright. But the handle appears to be a mixture of blue and brown. In any event, I don't plan to do anything with it. Just curious.

[sdkrag]

The version of the wood story that I heard years ago was that the shortage of American walnut was on the part of the contractor. He substituted the Italian wood to fill the contract. The people at the arsonal were not particularly pleased but had little choice other than to accept the wood so that production would not be interupted. Given the time frame with troops in the Phillipenes that sounded possible.

[chuck in idaho]

John,
All Krag bolts were polished/bright. A lot of bolt handles appear blued/dark. It's just from years of use with dirty, oily hands that darkens the bolt handles.

If you ever decide to sell it, drop me a line. Heck I might even trade you one of my early Remintons for it!
Take care
Chuck

[chuck in idaho]

SDKrag
I wouldn't disagree with that version. Mallory states that the wood was approved. So if there was a shortage of American walnut, for what ever reason, Springfield would have approved a substitute wood.

Chuck