Sporterized Krag - WTF?

[Harlan (Deceased)]

All very true. The one thing to note is factory made hunting/sporting rifles of the time period were a little scarce and very expensive compared to average income. The old surplus rifles were very plentiful and were sometimes sold for only a few dollars. Sears and Roebuck stores and hardware stores had them loose in barrels and people could just dig whatever they wanted out.

Since people wanted a nice looking factory hunting rifle, it was natural to 'dress up' the old battle rifle. Many were crudely done but there were some that are actually works of art. (Unfortunately most are the former)

[MeatMarket]

Meatmarket, this Krag you speak of, was it in a shop in downtown Aiken?

Yes on Richland Ave on the right just past Reynolds St. And on second thought, it may actually have been a carbine. I don't know and I feel foolish for jumping to conclusions. I don't know enough about Krags to identify it for sure, I just had the long version in my head and made an assumption. If I passed up a good find by mistake, it's fine by me because I wouldn't have been ready for that purchase anyway at the time. I'm not sure if it's still there.

[vintage hunter]

It was a rifle thats had it's barrel cut down to 24''. Did you notice how Bubba the Gunplumber attached the 1903a3 front sight with a screw up through the bottom of the band? If fact, most all the milsurps in that place are Bubba rejects. Way over priced too. The owner claims to be getting in some 1903's and a couple Krags soon that are supposed to be in original configuration. We'll see.

[MeatMarket]

Well I'm glad I wasn't wrong, but no I don't have the knowledge to have known the exact bubba'd details that you saw. However, I agree about all the other things. I handled most of their milsurps and wasn't impressed with any. They just didn't feel right. They all lacked character and seemed to look wrong. I'll never go there to buy a milsurp. One thing they did have though was a Springfield 45-70 trapdoor rifle. It was about the only thing in there that looked like it might be all original.

[jon_norstog]

Meat,

If it was a carbine, it would probably not have had the '03 sight. BUT, these old Bubba-jobs can make a pretty decent hunting rifle, AND no harm if they get banged up in the field. Once you use the Krag hunting you will probably wonder why youmessed around with any of those other rifles.

jn

[MeatMarket]

Eventually I'd like to add Krag to my collection, but bubba'd guns to me are no more interesting to have than modern rifles (I own no modern rifles). Some may frown on me for taking my milsurps hunting, but they're already war weathered and I take care not to add any new dings in the wood when I take them to the field.

[vintage hunter]

You'll find that quite a few of us here take our milsurps hunting regularly. Have you not seen the hunting with milsurps threads?

[MeatMarket]

Nope, I haven't. Perhaps I'll take a look.

(EDIT)

I can't seem to find them. What forum are they under?

[vintage hunter]

Not positive but I think it's in either The Watering Hole or The Milsurps General discussion Forum.

[BGunther]

I've got a badly treated 1894 Krag that I love to go hunting with. It points just like a Win '94 carbine, natural like.
2 years ago the Bro-in-law reached behind his beer fridge in the garage and drug out some dusty old rifles. A Danzig manufactured large ring mauser ( bubba'd of course) and a mystery rifle which turned out to be a...drum roll, please...Win-Lee 1895 Navy!
Sad part of the story...bubba had got to it. Even sadder...he misplaced the bolt when he was carving the new stock
It may turn up in the next month or two though. The old fella who had them originally is passing soon (sadly). It may turn up when his house gets emptied.
I digress though, this fall the Krag is going to get blooded again. I bought 250 rds of mixed hunting ammo and a set of dies, smell the venison cooking?