1898 Krag Carbine

[highpower3006]

I thought I would post a pic or two of this Krag carbine I picked up a few months ago. Now let me be the very first to say that I am extremely suspicious of any Krag carbine and especially a 1898. But that, being said I do believe that this one is the real deal and even if it isn't, I got it so cheap that I am super happy with it.

So here are the particulars:
Receiver marked "Model 1898 U.S. Springfield Armory 123905. This is dead nuts in the middle of the known '98 carbine serial number range.
Stock is the correct style for a 1898 carbine, has a sling ring and bar, the cartouche is dated 1898 and it does NOT have a plug where a cleaning rod channel would have been so it is a real carbine stock.
Barrel is exactly 22" long.
Original rear sight was missing and until I can locate the correct sight, I have installed a 1896 rifle sight I had laying around.

Records show that there were only 5000 of the 1898 carbines produced and I have never personally seen an original '98 carbine that wasn't upgraded with the 1899 stock and later rear sight.





Cartouche is somewhat worn and is a bear to photograph clearly, but it is a boxed JSA over 1898.

[HOOKED ON HISTORY]

Lovely.

[Salt Flat]

HP, Nice. It's hard to find an unmessed with Krag. Hope you find a sight. Salt Flat

[browningautorifle]

The rear sight will cost a bit but you can find them. Nice carbine...

[Dick Hosmer]

Looks good to me. If you bought the gun real cheap you have money towards the sight All in all, the rifle sight is not a huge problem for a wall display. YOU know it's not right, but 98% of casual viewers won't have a clue - and you need a nice-looking one, which won't be easy or inexpensive. Just having a carbine sight - if the patina and color don't match the gun - will look far worse than a matching rifle one which needs close inspection to tell that it's wrong.