Looking for this Krag

[Fred G.]

I will pay whatever the current owner wants for 1898 Krag rifle No. 172986. PM me if you have any information. I will pay handsomely for any information leading to Its current location. It was last seen with a tiger stripe figured walnut stock with a 1900 Cartouche. You can keep the stock if you want. I only want the rest. Thanks, Fred G.

Information

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[Aragorn243]

Just curious as this seems to be a serious request. What's the back story? Relative carry this at some time or is it something else? Odds seem pretty slim of finding it but others have done it.

[Fred G.]

The rifle was received on July 15th 1899 by the 26th U.S. Volunteer Infantry along with all of the others within crates of 20 rifles each. The unit went to the Phillipine's to fight for a couple of years and came home in 1901 I think it was. I've got a copy of the unit's weekly log kept by the officers in charge during their time there. Every battle, activity, report etc. The rifle was then turned in shortly after returning to ordinance and dismantled and cleaned, reblued and put into Govt. storage where it sat until it was purchased by the North Kansas City, American Legion Post (Charles F. Schroeder?) in 1923. Maybe from the DCM. It was then bought by my grandfather, James Mett Shippee for $2.50, who was a member there. By then, it had a mint, brand new replacement 1896 stock on it that had no final proofed inspectors cartouche on the left side. It only had a small W under the wrist behind the trigger guard. The pitting that had developed on the barrel while in the phillipines could be found under the stock on the sides of the barrel. They had been cleaned off and the barrel reblued. That stock was retained and another of 1898 configuration was put onto the rifle by me that had a 1900 cartouche. It and the handguard are both tiger striped and look quite nice. The rifle was entrusted to a fellow who used to set up at a Kansas City gun show who'd I'd known for years for a small loan of $400.00 so that I could pay some rent many years ago. It was understood and agreed by hand shake that I would have $600.00 for him at the next show three months later, where I would be given back the rifle. He sold the rifle to someone, somewhere for a larger profit during that time. He couldn't remember who or where. The rifle is out there somewhere and it has it's history along with my full name, on an index card, rolled up and inside of the lightening hole under the butt plate. It can only be found if the butt plate is removed. So, if it ever appears somewhere, I'll pay good money to anyone who can inform me as to where along with the contact information of the person who has it. If anyone wants my personal contact information, I can give it to them. Thanks, Fred G.