Looking at an 1896 Krag, opinions welcome

[Littlejohn]

There's an 1896 Krag for sale in the same pawn shop that had the No.4 Mk 1 that I recently purchased.
The Krag was once a rifle. It has been sporterized, cut down, Bubbasized, you name it.
The iron sights have been removed. It has a scope mount screwed to the receiver, and the scope blocks the safety from rotating fully.
The stock has been sanded and refinished. No inspectors marks visible. The bore is dark, but rifling looked ok. The metal is grey, no finish left, but no pitting either.
The only thing that interests me in this thing is that it is a Krag. It has no collector value in my opinion.
I think I can get it for $225.00. What do y'all think? Yea or Nay?
Two other things I'm curious about.
1. What are the chances this thing saw service in the Spanish American War?
2. Since it's an 1896 model, is it an antique (pre 1898) and therefore not subject to GCA 68 regulations?
Thanks.

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[NRA]

I would put the money towards a Krag that would be more correct and less Bubba

[gtodan]

Without pics hard to tell.

Pros: 1896 models more desirable. You can check SN on National Archives.

Cons: Bubba'd probably beyond recovery.

Spend your money elsewhere. I found a nice one (1898) I could trace the history back to turn of century. Fore end stock had been cut back. Pieced in a forearm and now have a very nice piece with $475 invested.

Best of luck in your search.....

[andiarisaka]

There's a good chance it saw service in the Spanish American War. Model 92 & 96 rifles, and Model 96 carbines were the Krags most used in that conflict. It is an antique, however I doubt that you'll be able to talk the FFL into letting you have it without the usual BATF check. If it were me, you could have it without a check and "Sold as antique" would be noted in my book, putting an end to its trail. There are a couple different brands of low scope safeties that were made for the Krag. Buehler is one. They come up on ebay or gunbroker from time to time. Krag ammo is somewhat hard to come by, and expensive. Reloading components, especially brass, isn't made as often as it once was, and I've heard rumors the brass manufacturers were going to stop making it. I can't say how reasonable the price is, except I've noticed that most sporterized Krags on gunbroker, unless they're totally trashed, start around $400. They make excellent cast bullet shooters, and in the majority of them one can use the same bullets that you would for .303 British as the bores are predominately .301, and groove diameter is often .310 or larger. .311 is the largest bullet mine will chamber without neck turning though.

[Littlejohn]

Thanks for the responses. I'm leaning toward buying it, even though it's been Bubbasized. The possible connection to the SAW is interesting. They don't make 'em anymore. It's 117 years old, and I like old stuff. I have a small collection of kerosene lamps, a couple of which were made in the same time period. The Krag would feel right at home next to a lamp made in 1899. My paternal grandfather was born in 1898. His middle name was Dewey. The story was that he was named after Admiral George Dewey due to Dewey's victory over the Spanish in the Philippines during the SAW. I think Grandpa would like the old Krag.

[Littlejohn]

I picked it up today. I don't know enough about Krags to say much about it. I'll let the photos do the talking. Might make a nice light hunting rifle, if it shoots well. The bore doesn't look too bad. Sure wish it didn't have those holes in the receiver, but I'll live with them. I'm hoping I can get that patch out where the butt swivel was and put some sling swivels back on it.
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[andiarisaka]

Have fun with it! On the bright side, you don't have to worry about destroying any collector value and can do with it as you see fit.

[Littlejohn]

Have fun with it! On the bright side, you don't have to worry about destroying any collector value and can do with it as you see fit.

Yes, I see an ACOG on a rail in it's future. Just kidding. I went to a gun show last weekend, and scored some ammo for it. Also got an 1892 rear sight, and an 03 rear swivel. I think the front sight will be an 03 band type.
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[Salt Flat]

LJ, I like it. I can't pass these up if the price is right. Granted they aren't a big "collector" rifle, but I consider myself a collector and have collected several cut down Krag rifles. I think the 03 front sight is the way to go. Also the 1896 it is a little more rare than an 1898. I have one with the exact same scope mount. An old Weaver or Lyman Alaskan would make the whole package look a little more vintage. Salt Flat

[WarPig1976]

Never heard of "srin ield Armory" before but, they sure do make a nice rifle.!!....