New member looking for some info on a 1898

[agj223]

Hey guys neebie here I was told that you guys might help me with some info on this rifle.

I dont know much about it exsept that it is a 1898 springfield sitting in my grandpa's closet.

On to the pics:




















What can you guys tell me about it?

Thanks, Anthony

Information

Warning: This is a relatively older thread This discussion is older than 360 days. Some information contained in it may no longer be current.

[5MadFarmers]

It would appear people are hiding.

The rifle you show is the model 1898 Krag as made at Springfield Armory. Counting all models, roughly 482K were made. Given the serial number on the one you've pictured, it was made towards the very end of production.

As made it would have had a 30" barrel and a stock running almost to the end of that barrel. It was pretty common to shorten and lighten the guns when they were sold surplus. The gun in the picture has had that process done but in a slightly unusual manner. The barrel was cut back and an M1903 front sight installed. Rather than cutting back the stock, they substituted a carbine stock.

The hand guard that is normally located on top of the barrel, surrounding the rear sight, is missing.

The rear sight appears to be shimmed underneath in a peculiar fashion.

The magazine gate appears to be from an earlier rifle - the angle isn't good for confirmation of that though.

So it's the 1898 model "sporterized." "Who" did the work on shortening them is a topic of hot debate and I'm not going there.

The chopped barrel and mismatched stock take the "collector" value out of it. Should shoot just fine and it's a bit handier for hunting not being so long. The stock has value as carbines are more collectable than rifles but that's a "parts" view.

Given the high serial number I'd suspect the bore is probably in nice shape but there is no guarantee on that.

Hope that helps.

[jon_norstog]

Anthony,

5MF is telling you true. The carbine stock may be worth more than the entire rifle. You could sell it, put a cheaper stock on it and use the $ to get some decent sights. If the bore is good you have the makings of a killer hunting rifle. Good luck!

jn

[agj223]

Thanks for the info guys

The gun is not mine grandpa is still holding on to it, although I might make him an offer because I would like to own it. What would be a fair offer?

If I get a hold of it then it will stay as is, I don't want it as a working rifle but as a family heirloom.

[5MadFarmers]

Last year, in the Spring, I drove a considerable distance to look at an M1 carbine. During a N.G. base open house I had displayed some guns and encouraged people to handle them. The ones I call "the dogs" as I won't get uptight if people accidentally ding them. Some boy scouts had a real good time taking a Garand apart. Along with some good natured ribbing from me. Any way, one of the scouts took one of my cards and his grandfather called. The guy had a carbine and was thinking about selling it. "Why?" I asked him. He hadn't thought real hard, it just had entered his head hearing about the Garand and Carbine from the show. "You have a grandson, why not save it for him? Use it to teach him to shoot." He then brought out his grandfather's shotgun. Late 1800s breakdown thing. Brought back memories of his grandfather. He kept the carbine. Teaching his grandson to shoot would be good for both of them. I don't begrudge the gas that cost me - it wasn't terribly far from where I shoot and I had the kids out shooting. Two birds thing. It was worth it just seeing him remember his grandfather and realizing he needed to take his grandson shooting.

Patience. The gun isn't important - time with your grandfather is. What you should pay him is nothing. Just give it time.

I have a Timex watch. It's no longer functional. Outside of paperwork and pictures, it's all I have from my grandfather. I don't care if it works or not. If I ever end up with grandkids, one will get it. Probably along with a ton of guns. Starting with a .22 rifle.

"I don't want it as a working rifle but as a family heirloom."

That's the ticket. Patience. The gun will shoot fine as is. If you're old enough to handle larger caliber center-fire, see if he'll go shooting.

[agj223]

The reason I am kinda pro active with this is I have a lot of other grand kids to compete with most of which would probably sell it to a pawn shop...

I am a very avid hunter/shooter and my grandpa knows this so my ods of getting it are pretty good, I just dont want to see it end up in a pawn shop...

[noro]

Hi AGJ,

Your grandfather's rifle is probably worth about $300. Tell him what its worth and make him a decent offer. Chances are he'll appreciate your honesty and interest and probably give it to you.