Springfield Krag rifle builder.

[99621]

On the breech end of the barrel is a stamped numbers. My book P.100 "The American Krag Rifle and Carbine" states that the Reports of the Chief of Ordnance to the Secretary of War for the year the year it was manufactured.
Attachment 116022
It's rather vague on the report year to get a copy to read, anyone have some information about it?

[butlersrangers]

I have no idea what you are referring to in the Poyer book. Page 100 in the 2nd & 3rd editions has 'table 2-9' - with notes on Krag receiver changes.

There are many 'hieroglyphics' on U.S. Krag parts, that meant something to Armory workers 'back in the day', but, pose an enigma, now.

A lot of these odd markings indicated that a part had passed a sub-inspection, as it moved through the manufacturing process.

The Krag receiver went through something like 125 machining operations, as it went from a 6 pound forging to a finished 1 and 1/2 pound heat-treated product ready for assembly.

The Krag barrel went through approximately 30 manufacturing operations.

The markings on the Krag barrel breech are not a date or date code. They are believed to signify the 'Steel Lot' a barrel was manufactured from.
(This would be useful in 'tracking', if problems developed with barrels from a certain lot of contracted steel).

The 'bevel' or radius at the rear of your barrel-shank, would indicate the barrel was made sometime after June,1899. Poyer reports the change to the breech-face, from square to radiused corner, happened around serial number 213,000.

(Some Hoppe's #9 and a bronze brush should clean those spots of rust and crud from the breech-face and extractor-notch).

I altered your photo to show the radius that was added to the Krag barrel around #213000.
Attachment 116023

[99621]

I have no idea what you are referring to in the Poyer book. Page 100 in the 2nd & 3rd editions has 'table 2-9' - with notes on Krag receiver changes.

There are many 'hieroglyphics' on U.S. Krag parts, that meant something to Armory workers 'back in the day', but, pose an enigma, now.

A lot of these odd markings indicated that a part had passed a sub-inspection, as it moved through the manufacturing process.

The Krag receiver went through something like 125 machining operations, as it went from a 6 pound forging to a finished 1 and 1/2 pound heat-treated product ready for assembly.

The Krag barrel went through approximately 30 manufacturing operations.

The markings on the Krag barrel breech are not a date or date code. They are believed to signify the 'Steel Lot' a barrel was manufactured from.
(This would be useful in 'tracking', if problems developed with barrels from a certain lot of contracted steel).

The 'bevel' or radius at the rear of your barrel-shank, would indicate the barrel was made sometime after June,1899. Poyer reports the change to the breech-face, from square to radiused corner, happened around serial number 213,000.

(Some Hoppe's #9 and a bronze brush should clean those spots of rust and crud from the breech-face and extractor-notch).

I altered your photo to show the radius that was added to the Krag barrel around #213000.
Attachment 116023

Thanks, I really appreciate your information, the barrel hasn't been cleaned up yet, I just received it in the mail. I need to scrub the bore, shank, but not the exterior of the barrel I want it to be left alone.
Attachment 116026
This is the Krag book I'm using to help me identify the parts. I deducted the barrel had the radius also.

Again, thanks

[99621]

Attachment 116027

[butlersrangers]

I have 2nd and 3rd editions of Poyer's book. Page #100 has tables citing changes to receiver.
Your page #100 is page 96 in my copies of Poyer.

Is your book the 1st edition?

I believe Poyer was simply saying that the breech marking identified the steel maker of a Krag barrel.

Poyer was also stating the Chief of Ordnance Annual Reports mentioned the steel manufacturers used in a given year.

I don't believe a 'Rosetta stone' has been found to decode these markings, the code of which was once known. (Some things do get forgotten or lost or are yet to be rediscovered).

[99621]

I have 2nd and 3rd editions of Poyer's book. Page #100 has tables citing changes to receiver.
Your page #100 is page 96 in my copies of Poyer.

Is your book the 1st edition?

I believe Poyer was simply saying that the breech marking identified the steel maker of a Krag barrel.

Poyer was also stating the Chief of Ordnance Annual Reports mentioned the steel manufacturers used in a given year.

I don't believe a 'Rosetta stone' has been found to decode these markings, the code of which was once known. (Some things do get forgotten or lost or are yet to be rediscovered).

I have the 3rd edition. Thanks for your help, after 125 years paperwork does get lost. I'm sure this will be period correct after I get finished, the book is a treasure trove of information.

I am also using the military handbook for reference also. I just enjoy a firearm that is 100% safe to use, after I'm finished it will be a great shooter. Here in Alaska we can have just about any firearm that was ever made as long as it is ATF approved.

Attachment 116038

[99621]

I got around to cleaning the receiver, it was packed in grease.
Attachment 116113
I have found some awesome stamps on the receiver, and the barrel synched down, with only a 1/4" turn to the witness line. It's looking really good.
Attachment 116114

[99621]

Getting the receiver assembled, still need a couple of parts, I got screwed on a couple of parts not 1898 model, when in fact it was a earlier model.
Attachment 116115

The receiver is actually quite beautiful, it has been packed in grease, I have installed all of the parts so far and everything fits perfectly in the receiver.

Attachment 116116

[99621]

The slide I ordered does not fit, a 1901 rear sight.
Attachment 116117
Any idea what I screwed up on?
Attachment 116118

[butlersrangers]

The slide in your photo is for the model 1896 rifle sight.

attached: picture of 1896 slide and 1901 slide

Attachment 116127Attachment 116128