Gentlemen: I've read with interest the subsequent comments to my earlier postings. I thought I would clarify what went down. I did not receive any comments back from my original message so I went ahead and posted the rifle on GunsInternational. Thought I would provide current pricing that I received as information to this forum and that was my second message.

FYI this is the posting that appeared on GunsInternational:

"M1896 30-40 Krag Rifle, NRA Antique Excellent (Mostly)
Time to move my 1897 manufactured Krag on to another custodian of this piece of history. As this rifle is classified as an antique it can be shipped directly to your door.
The bore is bright and shiny with no pitting in the 30” barrel. It has the proper M1896 rear sight (Krags are infamous for having later sights installed). Parts are blued and receiver case-hardened in oil. Some parts such as the trigger guard were niter blued and that finish does not hold up well. I would place the amount of finish remaining at about 90% +/-
The butt plate is the only part that has lost all its finish. The upper band (the part the bayonet attaches to) is the only part not M1896. It is an M1898 as indicated by the split in the bottom that allows the band to tighten more. Perhaps it was installed as an upgrade during the clean and repair work. No oiler or cleaning rods in the butt trap.
And for those of you that actually shoot old rifles (as I have this one), the muzzle gauges right at 2.
The actual war with Spain was fought with the M1892 and M1896 Krags. The M1898’s came afterwards. 62,587 M1896’s were manufactured. Springfield Research Service did not list this serial number but stated it was in the range with the 1st United Statesicon Volunteer Engineers.
Now for the reality check. There is every indication that this rifle served in the tropics, e.g. Cuba, the Philippines etc. and just didn’t stand in some arms room. The soldier that used this rifle took good care of it externally and the bore - almost in immaculate condition; then you look under the wood.
Both the receiver and the barrel sustained pitting, under the wood where it is not seen. I theorize that the rifle went through the ordnance department clean and repair shops. The new finish in the pitted areas is consistent with the rest of the rifle. The handsome stock has been scrapped to the point that only a shadow of the JLA/1897 cartouche is present. I know that many (perhaps most) collectors never disassemble their collectibles but it is important to me that prospective buyers have a full picture of the rifle."

I went to great lengths to advise potential buyers of the current condition of the rifle and the hypothesis that it had been re-finished by government armorers in the "clean and repair" program. The one gentleman does have me on the bolt though; I missed that it was a '98 as opposed to the proper '96. I did indeed clean the bolt but it is original to the rifle as when I bought it in the '90's.

Always appreciate the comments of those with greater knowledge than myself and that is why I reached out to this forum with my original message.

Best regards,

H.T.