CMP 1899 Krag carbine questions?

[HOOKED ON HISTORY]

It looks as though the barrel may be a replacement as the current sight base does not seem wide enough to conceal the original sight dovetail.
Thoughts?

[HOOKED ON HISTORY]

Another bit on which I need some expert advice. Which of the magazine cutoffs is appropriate for the 1899 as I need a replacement?

Short / long / long rifle?

[butlersrangers]

Model 1898 and model 1899 Krag receivers use the Magazine Cut-Off Lever with the short shaft.

I have been seeing cut-down Krags at gun shows for ages with that "Curtain Rod Fixture" front-sight. I don't know who made them. They are hideous and make me cringe.

I suspect they were a hardware store (non-gun) item, that got improvised into a 'gun-sight'.

They were probably driven on and held in place by friction. They are common.

[HOOKED ON HISTORY]

Model 1898 and model 1899 Krag receivers use the Magazine Cut-Off Lever with the short shaft.

I have been seeing cut-down Krags at gun shows for ages with that "Curtain Rod Fixture" front-sight. I don't know who made them. They are hideous and make me cringe.

I suspect they were a hardware store (non-gun) item, that got improvised into a 'gun-sight'.

They were probably driven on and held in place by friction. They are common

Thanks on both fronts. Now I know which cutoff to seek. And I will not loose anymore sleep wondering where that hideous sight came from.

Any wagers on weather or not I will find a dovetail under said hideous sight?

[browningautorifle]

Any wagers on weather or not I will find a dovetail under said hideous sight?

I think you'd see the evidence now, I expect it was a rifle barrel before.

[butlersrangers]

FWIW - I recently bought an altered model 1896 Krag barrel on ebay, which I thought to be a 'cut-down' rifle barrel.

Upon direct observation, it appears to be a model 1896 carbine barrel, that had the original front-sight cut and filed down, before being 'dovetailed' for a (backwards?) Marble's front-sight.

Note the ghost outline of the original Krag FS Base.

Attachment 101800

[HOOKED ON HISTORY]

I saw four Krags this week end. Only one had the original sights.

[HOOKED ON HISTORY]

I spoke with a fellow at CMP custom shop and they are familiar with and have done the dovetailing and soldering of the Krag front sight. I am on the waiting list for the work to be done. They also have the parts and expertise to inlet for and install the barrel band spring (we are going to discuss that when they have eyes on).
Wish me luck.

[m1903rifle]

If the rifle came from CMP, it could have come from one of two sources. The first source would have been returns from VFW or American Legion posts. These were for the most part fairly decent, complete, and original rifles. I saw M92/96, M96, and M98 rifles when they were offered at the CMP in Anniston, AL. Some of them had been plated. The second source of the Krags was from movie studios and movie prop companies. These Krags ranged from complete rifles to fabricated carbines. Many of the stocks were stamped MGM or RKO, and they were all in rough condition ( wish I had bought one now ). I heard that Orest, CMP official, traded M1903 and M1903A3 drill rifles for the movie Krags. I think the fabricated carbines were used in the "Rough Riders" movie.

[HOOKED ON HISTORY]

At long last I received the carbine back from CMP. At the gunsmiths suggestion and statement that they get better results I opted for a relief cut and silver solder rather than a dovetail (results a little obvious but much better than before). They did a very satisfactory job and I believe added value back to offset
the cost. They did not believe the cost could be justified on cutting the stock down. I may attempt that myself at some point. I will try and post some photos this week.