Need Advice on Rifle and Pricing

[salish]

Hello, I am interested in purchasing a Krag rifle from a guy and I am looking for advice on the pricing. The rifle is serial 127X and was made in 1898. I don't have much in the way of photos, but the most glaring issue is the left side of the receiver was drilled and tapped for a side mount scope (4 holes). The rifle's bluing is pretty sketchy on the receiver. The bore is, apparently, good. The seller is asking $500.00. The scope mount holes make me want to pass on it, but with the prices for full-length rifles getting so high (and hard to find) I'm wondering if I should pony up the bucks and grab this rifle for a shooter. Any thoughts on this? Thank you.

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[rcathey]

For an in-person purchase, $500 isn't a terrible price for that rifle. I think I'd offer $400 and settle at $450.

If for no other reason than it has a full length stock that would be useful if you ran across one without scope mount holes but a cutdown stock.

[salish]

Thanks Ryan. I already have a really nice condition Krag rifle that was cut back to make a short rifle eons ago. I suppose I could marry that receiver to this barrel and stock, but then I'd have gunsmithing and shipping charges probably at a couple of hundred bucks. That would make it a $700.00 proposition. If it gets that high I might just think it would be better go look for a rifle without the holes in the receiver, even if it did cost a couple more hundred.

[bombdoc]

Such a pity they have drilled through the lettering.. a "plug and tig" job can make the holes go away, but trying to match the markings makes it much more difficult to hide..

Why oh why do people want to bolt glass onto a historic rifle..?

[browningautorifle]

Such a pity they have drilled through the lettering.. a "plug and tig" job can make the holes go away, but trying to match the markings makes it much more difficult to hide..

Exactly what I'm thinking. Here where I am that would be nice to have as a shooter as there aren't many around. I have dies after all... Filling and blinding holes isn't bad but the lettering...well...

[jon_norstog]

The price isn't bad. Otherwise it looks OK and you say the bore is good. I would just tread in some screws aND file them flush.

jn

[soonerfan66]

Stuff like that makes you cringe . I understand that probably the person who did it way back when was more interested in hunting and putting food on the table but dang it's like someone putting a huge rear spoiler thing on a classic car . The complete stock is a big plus .

[salish]

Guys, thank you very much. I really appreciate your comments. I think I'm probably going to pass on this rifle. Thanks again for your help.
Cliff

[mark1]

If you want I have a couple of 1898 Krag receivers you could use to fix the problem. If you are interested send me a message.

[browningautorifle]

I have a couple of 1898 Krag receivers

That would be a good way to sort it out...not too hard either.