1898 Krag with "E 21" on the buttstock

[butlersrangers]

'Alex' - Hints on disassembly:
First the stock can be removed by sliding barrel-bands forward to the front-sight and removing the two trigger guard screws.
(The front-sight blade height prevents the front-band from being removed. If necessary, the front-sight blade can be removed by driving the small tapered-pin, left to right, with a fine drift-punch).

The rear barrel-band is moved forward by removing the sling-swivel & screw. The band can be spread slightly to clear the stock cross-pin.

Krag wooden hand-guards are fragile and age makes them more so. Do Not 'snap' a hand-guard on and off the barrel.
Remove the rear-sight screws & sight. Soften-up old storage grease coating the barrel with solvent or mineral spirits.
The hand-guard can be slid forward down the barrel taper, toward the muzzle, where it is easily removed.

Store the loose hand-guard with a Quarter and a Penny twisted into the barrel spring-clips to counter the strong inward spring tension.

Reassemble in reverse order, making sure the action and barrel are nicely seated in stock. Firmly tighten the front guard-screw. The rear-screw should just be snug. If over-tightened, the barrel will be 'levered' upward, off the stock-channel.