New Member with an SRS request

[Trajan98]

Howdy! I just found this forum and joined. I just bought a Krag 1898 carbine with a 1899 stock and a M1901 carbine sight. S/N 123023. According to the serial number, it was built in August 1898. The upper handguard is missing and the front barrel band is incorrect (has a sling swivel) and the forearm forward of the barrel band appears to have been shortened and blunted. The front sight doesn't appear to be original but the barrel is the correct length, 22" and is crowned. Any SRS information on it would be greatly appreciated.

Information

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[JOHN42768]

Hello and welcome. No SRS hit on your Krag. Closest below listed 122974 98R CO L 3rd KY VOL INF and above 123086 98C TRP M 11th USV CAV. I don't want to rain on your parade. The serial number puts it in limbo as to if a carbine or rifle. Regarding the front sight, are you talking about the blade only or the whole sight that appears incorrect? Is the sight mortised into the barrel or banded around? That might be the only factor that could put it in the running as a carbine instead of a cut down rifle. You already know the receiver is '98 and the stock is not a '98 carbine stock although being later and with upgrades it could make an original '99 carbine stock correct. You don't mention the rear sight information. Have fun. John

[Trajan98]

Thanks John for the quick reply. The front sight has a band around the barrel that attaches the blade front sight. I'll send some pictures when I get home. The cartouche on the stock is a very nice 1899 by JSA. I understand the 1899 stock for both the carbine and rifle shared the same stock (i.e. identical finger groove lenghts), only the carbine had a much shorter amount of wood forward of the barrel band. The rear sight is definitely 1901 with a C markings for carbine and graduated to 2300yds. If my cabine started out as a rifle and was cut down, the muzzle wouldn't have been crowned would it? Of course, the action was the same for both rifle and carbine, I guess the barrel could have been changed out later.
BTW, I want to shoot it. Have you heard of anyone having problems using modern Remington or Winchester ammo in these weapons?

[JOHN42768]

Here is my take based on the info you have supplied. I believe you have a cut down '98 rifle in a cut down '98 rifle stock that has a '99 cartouche (not a problem) with a '01 carbine rear sight. Your front sight is most likely a '03 Springfield variety. Many cut down barrels do have a crown. A large number of surplus Krags were cut to carbine length for handling ease to be used as hunting guns. As long as it is all sound, I don't think any of the factory loads should present a problem. Since I am not an expert and if you are unsure, you might want a gunsmith to look it over first. Was it sold to you as being an original '98 carbine? Take a look at some of the auction sites (like Gunbroker) to see '99 carbines. You won't find a real '98 carbine, I don't believe on any of them at present. You will see the front sight differences. Also check out Krag Collector Association site for photos to compare. You will see the difference in length of the finger grooves which can't be fudged. John

[Trajan98]

I would appreciate your guess as to what this front sight is. As you can see, the stock was modified. It was very well done and aside from the obvious wrong barrel band and shape of the wood forward of it, it is difficult to tell it was a modification. I wonder if Springfield did any of these mods or this is the work of an armorer?

[JOHN42768]

I believe it to be a '03 Springfield, but hard to see details from photo. Go to Gunbroker.com and put in Springfield front sight. I think you will see the comparison appears like yours. I am not aware of Springfield doing this kind of modification. There was a bunch modified for NRA/DCM (pre-CMP) . You will see these posted for sale from time to time, but without a paper trail anyone could have done the modification. John

[Trajan98]

Thanks John, it seems to be a little different than a Springfield 03 sight. I'm learning there are a lot of "Franken-Krags" out there and I guess I have one of them but I bought it as a shooter rather than a museum piece. It's in great shape mechanically and I can't wait to shoot it. I' m hooked on this iconic rifle that is so well made....I am positive it won't be my last Krag! Thanks for your advice.