My First Krag rifle

[Kerry49]

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This is my first Krag. Bought it online for what I thought was a good price. Its in ok condition except the bore is pretty ragged. Not sure if its shootable. I was hoping for a better bore. The rifle looked to me to be original, but not sure if rear sight was an arsenal update. Any thoughts on it? Thanks
Kerry
PS This is my first post on Milsurps!

Information

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[butlersrangers]

'Kerry49' - Congratulations on obtaining you first Krag-Jorgensen. Your rifle looks quite decent on the outside with a nice '1900 acceptance cartouche' and circled 'P' (function proof).

Your stock appears quite shiny in your photos, like it has been varnished. If so, you might consider carefully stripping the coat of varnish and renewing the linseed oil finish.

Your rifle, #242268, was likely assembled around December, 1899, or January, 1900. A 1900 date 'acceptance cartouche' on the stock shows a nice matchup.

It is likely your Krag may have had several different rear-sights during its service time.

Your Krag is in the serial number range of rifles issued with the 1898 type rear-sight. This sight had a short career. The higher velocity (2,200 fps) cartridge it was calibrated for was withdrawn from service, when Krag bolts began showing cracks.

Most 1898 Krags ultimately ended up with either the 1901 or the 1902 rear sight. You have the 1902 sight. It is believed a lot of rifles with this sight went to National Guard units.

Your Krag is in the small percentage of rifles Franklin Mallory found documented in official records. (His research was published as "SRS Records" - Springfield Research Services).

Your rifle's number appears (TWICE!) in the 'appendix tables' of "The Krag Rifle Story", 2nd. edition, page 323: #242268 - 1898 Rifle - 02/06/1905 - Maryland N.G. (Loose Bore) AND #242268 - 1898 Rifle - 12/1899 Manufactured.

FWIW - I reviewed the tables in my copy of "The Krag Rifle Story". There are 214 Maryland N.G. rifles listed (between #236863 and #243577). They are all listed as manufactured in December, 1899. (66 rifles are reported to have a "Loose Bore" - Oversize?). Some of the Md. N.G. rifles were issued in September, 1904. The others were issued 02/06/05.

[butlersrangers]

On further review of the tables in "The Krag Rifle Story":

222 rifles are listed for the Maryland N.G. (all are reported as being Manufactured in December, 1899).

156 rifles are apparently issued in September, 1904.

66 rifles reported with "Loose Bore" are apparently issued 02/06/1905.

[Kerry49]

Thanks for the great information on the service of this rifle. I noticed that where it's not worn with patina that it seems to have a black finish, almost like paint. I didn't show the butt plate, but it has some kind of black finish on it. Would this be correct or something done after by "bubba"?

[butlersrangers]

"Kerry49" - 'Black Paint' sounds like somebody's Home Remedy.

Arsenal procedure for Butt-plate, Trigger-guard, Barrel-bands and Sling-swivels was to "Blue in Nitre" for reconditioning.

Receiver and other case-hardened parts, as well as, Barrel were "browned", a slow rust bluing process. The barrel will take a dull blue appearance. The receiver, side-plate, and magazine-gate will often look mottled or even 'silvery' with wear and time.

Stocks were cleaned, scraped (to remove varnish, oil, and minor blemishes), given a dip in warm water, sanded, and finished with a light coat of linseed oil.

IMHO - Many parts of the Krag had a pretty fragile finish. Butt-plates will often just show patina and rust discoloration.

Attached photos: #1 shows a really pristine butt-plate (not my Krag). The next four photos are of my experienced Krag that show pretty normal honest wear.

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[Kerry49]

Well, I didn't really think the black stuff was correct. Paint thinner didn't phase it. Thanks for the Picts. Need to put up a couple of good pictures of the bore. I'll add the butt plate too.

[Kerry49]

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Well, here are a couple more pictures, my best bore picture and my blackened butt plate. The bore looks better in this picture than I thought it did just looking by eye down the bore. I think its rougher up near the throat. But shootable.? I think I'll keep plugging away at scrubbing the bore and take her out for a shoot.
Thanks!

[butlersrangers]

'Kerry49' - That bore may surprise you. By all means give it a good scrub, but, generally a rough Krag bore doesn't seem to improve in appearance (darn early corrosive primers).

However, even a rough Krag may shoot jacketed bullets well. I have gotten good results from bores that look like yours. They are just never any fun to clean!

Try nail polish remover on your butt-plate. Soak #0000 steel wool or a piece of 'Scotch-Brite' pad with the remover and see if it dissolves and lifts the 'paint'. Wear dish gloves!

[Kerry49]

I did a more detailed inspection of the rifle in putting it back together after cleaning and the extractor has lost its claw to grab the rim. I see them available at SARCO and Numrich, but was wondering if replacing it is do-able with a hammer and a punch. I may replace the ejector while I'm at it, too. Advice?
Thanks.

[butlersrangers]

'Kerry49' - Send me a PM with an address and I will send you a serviceable extractor.

The extractor rivet is generally not too difficult to remove. It helps if you have a drift or punch with a slightly concave tip and an extra pair of hands (or vise with 'safe' jaws).

Disassemble the bolt. Take the bolt sleeve (the extractor is 'riveted' to this part) and rest the rivet area on a piece of hardwood (extractor top is up). Drive the rivet downward. It helps if someone can hold the assembly on the hardwood as you strike the drift/punch with a small plastic or brass mallet. It helps if there is a shallow hole in the hardwood for the rivet to move in to.

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