Current average value for 1896 US Krag rifle ?

[Mike in Wis.]

Thinking of buying this. Owner wants $775. Worth it ? Rifle is operable, action very smooth, appears still all original, bore pretty nice, about 30% remaining finish has patena similer to old nickle steel Winchester rifles., no metal pits, stock has some dings, cartouche visible 1897, sn 512XX, receiver M1896

My knowledge of Krag rifles isn't strong.... thanks in advance !

Mike

Information

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[andiarisaka]

Like many Krags, this one seems to have fallen into a stock with a different cartouche date. The rifle should have been made in Dec. 1896, but there is some debate as to the accuracy of the present charts, maybe 1897 is really right. Missing sling swivel, buggered up front band screw, and a cutoff handguard. Not worth it to me, but that's me. God only knows, I've paid more than what one was worth more than once. But I'm learning now what to look for. If you have an interest in the rifles, buy a book before buying, or just poke around here a lot.

[Mike in Wis.]

Thanks... the missing sling swivel and band screw issue wasn't of concern to me, I can fix that... but I didn't catch the cutoff handguard. It does look slightly short as it isn't all the way to the barrel band, I wonder why someone would cut off such a small amount ? I also wondered about the receiver date vs. stock cartouche, but found the following in a reference article by Bruce Canfield that I thought cleared it up for me.

Early production receivers were marked with the year of manufacture, “1896,” on the left side along with “U.S./Springfield Armory” and the serial number. As production continued, the receivers were marked “Model 1896,” regardless of the actual year of manufacture. As with the Model 1892 rifle, the stocks were marked with an inspection stamp on the left side that contained the initials of Springfield Armory’s master armorer and the year of production.

If it was a rifle WW1 and later I'd feel more comfortable in my judgement and knowledge... but the Spanish American War era just hasn't been my area of interest and as such is out of my comfort area.

Thanks for the information.

[andiarisaka]

You're welcome Mike, give us a better photo of the rear sight and handguard, looks as though it may have been modified in more ways than one.

[jon_norstog]

Mike,

I'd rather pay less for that rifle. It is a little less than collector grade, at least now,but not bad. If it has a good bore it might make a nice shooter, for $500 or so. On the plus side it was almost certainly issued to troops during the Spanish American War, and 50-50 chance it wascarried on campaign or in battle.

jn

[thorin6]

That's a $600 rifle at best. The altered handguard will cost around $150 to replace, assuming the rifle has the correct rear sight. The cartouche looks as if someone tried to "enhance" the date after it had been worn to much to be read. I assume you've moved the barrel band to make sure the foreend hasn't been added to a cut down stock. Not a bad shooter, but on the low end for a collectable.