an original krag finally?

[donki1967]

Hello
Passionate about long-American weapons in original caliber, I only needed a krag.
A gunsmith offers me this one, what do you think? I admit that I do not know enough about this subject....
Best regards
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Information

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[green]

Looks like a carbine cocking piece.

[donki1967]

Sir, you mean the bolt is from a krag carbine?

[ssgross]

The cocking piece is "Type 4, headless", which was was used at ~200,000 but discontinued after serial number ~285,000.
How is it being sold? Is he advertising it as an all-correct collectors item? or a refurbished rifle?
The initial left of the cartouche indicates a possible arsenal refurbishment/rebuild which may account for the headless cocking piece being swapped in, but I think those were always 3 letter initials. Others on this forum know far more than me will surely chime in soon.
EDIT: to be more clear, the headless bolt was used on both rifles and carbines in the ranges indicated above.

[donki1967]

Thank you for your contribution, I listen to all opinions.
It's a near impossible mission to find a krag here in France

[Salt Flat]

Donki, That is a beautiful rifle! How are the bore and mechanics? And-- how much the asking? Salt Flat

[donki1967]

The bore should be nice, I'm waiting for more pics...Regarding the price ,I would say high but it is in the lower average practiced in Europe.
1200 USD.

[butlersrangers]

"Donki" - That is a very nice looking U.S. model 1898 Krag. The serial number, 431788, would indicate that the rifle was originally assembled around January, 1903, at Springfield Armory.

As 'ssgross' reported, the "head-less cocking-piece" was originally found on a narrow range of Krag carbines and rifles.
It was an 'economy move', but, proved more expensive to manufacture, than the regular cocking-piece.
The "head-less cocking-piece" was approved in April, 1899, and disapproved in October, 1900. (Likely original use was on Krags from #202,000 to #285,000).

During their Service Use, with the U.S. Military and State National Guard Units, most Krags underwent 'rebuilding' at Springfield or at several Arsenals and Depots.
The rifles and carbines were taken apart and salvageable parts were refurbished.
The refinished parts went into bins for reuse.
Rebuilt arms were assembled from a new combination of parts.

The Krag you are considering, I believe is a very nice example of such a rebuilt arm. That would explain the (1899-1900) 'head-less cocking-piece' and a Stock with the "J.S.A. - 1902" (Acceptance Cartouche) on a Receiver made in 1903.

A lot of Krags were rebuilt in the period preceding U.S. involvement in WW1. It is suspected that letters like the "J", on this Krag's Stock, came in use around 1907, to indicate the 'rebuild facility'.

The 'B', '2', and '42' stock markings are unusual and likely U.S. Unit, Company, and Rack numbers.

Some Krags were taken to Britain and France by U.S. Engineers. These Engineer units were involved in transport and railway duties. They were armed with Krags until receiving more modern arms.

I suspect this Krag has a very interesting story that has been lost in time.

In my opinion, the price seems fair, given the US Krag's rarity in Europe and the condition of this nice example.

(p.s. - The sling on this rifle is not a Krag sling, but, a model 1907 sling, developed for the 1903 Springfield).

[donki1967]

Thank you butlersrangers for this these very specific facts! for the moment I have not had the pictures of the barrel, to come....

[browningautorifle]

Very nice looking clean rifle...