Gun show 1898 Krag.

[scottz63]

These are on the bottom of the wrist just behind the trigger guard. I'm guessing the "Circle P" is the proof mark? What about, what appears to be, the number 80 above it? Just another proof/inspection mark?

Information

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[oldfoneguy]

The circle P is the firing proof mark. The 80 could be anything from a proof mark to a rack number. My Krag rifle has a tiny S where your 80 is, meaning unknown.

[scottz63]

Just received some stuff for it in the mail. 1902 sight and screws along with 4 dummy rounds to play around with.

[scottz63]

That is a really cool photo! I like it a bunch.

Just received some stuff for it in the mail. 1902 sight and screws along with 4 dummy rounds to play around with.

[scottz63]

Correct rear sight looks and functions so much better than the old incorrect one.

Old Model 1896.



New Model 1902.

[browningautorifle]

Correct rear sight looks and functions so much better

They tend to do that. Now you can flog the other and recoup some cost...

[scottz63]

They tend to do that. Now you can flog the other and recoup some cost...

Yup, they do.

I would like to find the correct elevation knob to replace the broken off one on the 1896 sight. All I can find so far is 1898 and up.

[browningautorifle]

I would like to find the correct elevation knob

You could place a WTB here in the correct forum on this site and perhaps someone has one...these guys have everything.

[scottz63]

You could place a WTB here in the correct forum on this site and perhaps someone has one...these guys have everything.

I would need a new slide base at this point. I took it apart last night to get the broken knob threaded shank out of the base. It had taken a pretty good hit at some point as it was bent down at the knob end. I was able to straighten it out but, the screw hole and threads are distorted beyond repair.

[oldfoneguy]

There are those that swear by the 1902 sight, personally I prefer the M1901. The M1901 is a modernized version of the Buffington sight used on the Trapdoor Springfield. The M1903 and recalibrated M1906 sights used on the 1903 Springfield were directly developed from the M1901 sight. This is probably why the M1901 sight was retrofitted onto all then in-service Krag rifles in 1903. It must have made sight training more streamlined.

So yes your M1902 sight is more far correct than the M1896 however it would have left Springfield with a M1898 sight and would have been retrofitted to the M1901 sight and handguard had it still been in service in 1903.

I have included photos of the (from L to R) Buffington, M1901 and M1903/06 sights for comparison.