Price of a regular 1898 Krag

[Snowman1510]

Someday I'd like to get an 1898 Krag standard issue long rifle. I was wondering how much would a decent one cost? How much would a lower end one cost? And how is their availability?

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[browningautorifle]

It sort of depends on what you can find and who's around. If you keep your eyes on Gunbroker and such sites you can watch for a bit and see what they sell for. Also site's like Antiques, Simpson Ltd

Antique Handguns/Pistols Firearms For Sale | Down East Antiques

They'll give you a handle...

[mmppres]

around here a sporter/deer rifle about 250.00 some times even finding one that was not drilled an taped for a scope or had barrel cut off. full military is low end 200 to high of 800.00
saw 2 at last gun show an fellow wanted 1700 for both as they both came from CMP in same box. Sprooter is a nice shooter but stocks are killer to find. Boyds used to make a real nice repo.

[butlersrangers]

The challenge is to find an unaltered U.S. model 1898 Krag rifle with a nice bore. The early U.S. service ammo was pretty 'toxic'.

A Krag described as having a "dark bore with strong rifling" is a Lie, intended to deceive. Dark Krag bores rarely clean up and remain rough. They may shoot decent, but, are hard to maintain.

Krag rifles saw a lot of abuse through 20 years of service and were roughly handled during WW1 training. Stocks are often rough, cracked, badly 'refinished, dented, and bruised.

In the U.S.A., a correct model 1898 Krag with nice wood and a very good bore will command $750 to $900. Less promising Krags with poor bores seem to go for $500-$600.

IMHO - The Krag 'market' is very slow these days. A lot of older collectors may be selling off little used rifles.

It is good to be patient, save your money, educate yourself on Krags, and attend local gun shows and routinely view GunBroker. Krag rifles show up. It pays to be prepared.

The worse problem with Krags is Seller ignorance, deceit, and delusions about what their Krag is worth.

[Snowman1510]

It is good to be patient, save your money, educate yourself on Krags, and attend local gun shows and routinely view GunBroker. Krag rifles show up. It pays to be prepared.

Thanks! I'll keep this in mind and go to my local gun show next week, thanks!

[limpetmine]

From what I've seen, a "good" example in unmessed wood is between $800-$1,000.00 I have a friend who collects nothing but, and has quit buying because they're too high. He needs an 1899 carbine and a 1892 non-converted. Let me know if you find the latter.

[browningautorifle]

Someday I'd like to get an 1898 Krag

Did you have a look at the links to see what a GOOD one will cost?

[Snowman1510]

Did you have a look at the links to see what a GOOD one will cost?

I know I can't afford a "good" one at the moment, that is why I original asked about decent and lower end krags.

[browningautorifle]

I'm sure you can find something suitable. I can't afford a nice one either. I had a carbine that was shot out, cracked handguard and marbles front sight blade...but it was all there at least.

[Snowman1510]

I'm sure you can find something suitable. I can't afford a nice one either. I had a carbine that was shot out, cracked handguard and marbles front sight blade...but it was all there at least.

Yeah haha, I would like to find one even if its beat up, I wouldn't mind!