+ Reply to Thread
Page 2 of 4 FirstFirst 1 2 3 4 LastLast
Results 11 to 20 of 32

Thread: an original krag finally?

Click here to increase the font size Click here to reduce the font size
  1. #11
    Legacy Member jon_norstog's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2009
    Last On
    11-01-2021 @ 12:41 AM
    Location
    Portland, Oregon
    Age
    78
    Posts
    582
    Local Date
    03-28-2024
    Local Time
    02:38 AM
    I think thaT is a pretty damn good Kragicon. Many Krags were arsenal refurbished, for instance whe they came back from Cuba or the Philippines. Also there were in-field modifications, for instance the "engineers" modification of the carbine with sling rings. The 1907 sling is the one to have for military shooting events, and is worth money by itself.

    That one has the 1901 sight, which is the best one for target shooting. It is in great shape overall and probably did not see any service in tropical climates. I wonder how it ended up in Franceicon.

    Those rifles can be very accurate and with a little practice you should be able to astound the flaneurs at your rifle range by shooting the heart out of any target that is put up.

    jn
    Last edited by jon_norstog; 09-27-2020 at 01:59 AM.

  2. # ADS
    Friends and Sponsors
    Join Date
    October 2006
    Location
    Milsurps.Com
    Age
    2010
    Posts
    All Threads
    A Collector's View - The SMLE Short Magazine Lee Enfield 1903-1989. It is 300 8.5x11 inch pages with 1,000+ photo’s, most in color, and each book is serial-numbered.  Covering the SMLE from 1903 to the end of production in India in 1989 it looks at how each model differs and manufacturer differences from a collecting point of view along with the major accessories that could be attached to the rifle. For the record this is not a moneymaker, I hope just to break even, eventually, at $80/book plus shipping.  In the USA shipping is $5.00 for media mail.  I will accept PayPal, Zelle, MO and good old checks (and cash if you want to stop by for a tour!).  CLICK BANNER to send me a PM for International pricing and shipping. Manufacturer of various vintage rifle scopes for the 1903 such as our M73G4 (reproduction of the Weaver 330C) and Malcolm 8X Gen II (Unertl reproduction). Several of our scopes are used in the CMP Vintage Sniper competition on top of 1903 rifles. Brian Dick ... BDL Ltd. - Specializing in British and Commonwealth weapons Specializing in premium ammunition and reloading components. Your source for the finest in High Power Competition Gear. Here at T-bones Shipwrighting we specialise in vintage service rifle: re-barrelling, bedding, repairs, modifications and accurizing. We also provide importation services for firearms, parts and weapons, for both private or commercial businesses.
     

  3. #12
    Legacy Member donki1967's Avatar
    Join Date
    Nov 2011
    Last On
    03-18-2024 @ 01:43 PM
    Location
    FRANCE
    Posts
    139
    Local Date
    03-28-2024
    Local Time
    04:38 AM
    Thread Starter
    Quote Originally Posted by jon_norstog View Post
    I wonder how it ended up in Franceicon
    I don't have the slightest idea ... he may have arrived in europe recently, in which case he must have a CIP proof mark, I'll find out.

  4. Avoid Ads - Become a Contributing Member - Click HERE
  5. #13
    Legacy Member LeadSnowstorm's Avatar
    Join Date
    Apr 2019
    Last On
    03-17-2024 @ 11:04 AM
    Location
    TX
    Posts
    6
    Local Date
    03-28-2024
    Local Time
    04:38 AM
    Even in the US on Gunbroker or the like, a $1200 asking price would not be that much out of line, frankly. It might not move as quickly as a rifle priced at $850-1000. But if it caught the eye of the right collector or (assuming the condition of the bore is comparable to the rest) shooter, it might.

    As a point of reference, the latest price for Krags sold out of the stores of the Civilian Marksmanship Program is $1250.

    IMHO unless the bore is just a sewer pipe or there’s some unpictured damage, I don’t think that price should greatly deter you.

  6. #14
    Legacy Member donki1967's Avatar
    Join Date
    Nov 2011
    Last On
    03-18-2024 @ 01:43 PM
    Location
    FRANCE
    Posts
    139
    Local Date
    03-28-2024
    Local Time
    04:38 AM
    Thread Starter
    Hello again,

    What matching parts must a KRAG have?if there must be any factory.
    Thanks

  7. #15
    Legacy Member butlersrangers's Avatar
    Join Date
    Nov 2009
    Last On
    03-26-2024 @ 09:38 PM
    Location
    S.E. Michigan, U.S.A.
    Posts
    737
    Local Date
    03-28-2024
    Local Time
    05:38 AM
    'Donki' - The Kragicon you are considering is a U.S. Magazine Rifle Model 1898 (Krag-Jorgesen).

    It has the model 1901 rear-sight, which was the preferred sight for Krags remaining in U.S. Army service after 1905.
    (It is likely that a lot of Krags that went to the State National Guard Units had the model 1902 rear-sight).

    All the parts on this Krag are Model 1898 parts.
    Even though the manufacture of 'head-less cocking-piece' was discontinued in 1900, the part was still acceptable and could be used during rebuilding of Krags.

    U.S. Krag parts were not serial numbered or matched to the serial number of the Rifle's Receiver.
    (Exception was some early model 1892 rifles, made in 1894, that had some parts numbered to the gun).

    Springfield Armory was the sole manufacturer of parts and they were intended to be interchangeable, without hand-fitting.
    (We learned this from the Frenchicon)!

    You are considering a very nice Krag. It may have even gotten to France with U.S. Engineers (???). It's probably impossible to know for sure, without documentation.

    Attached photo of U.S. 12th Engineers in London during a 1917 parade.

    Attachment 111326
    Last edited by butlersrangers; 09-29-2020 at 05:11 PM.

  8. #16
    Legacy Member donki1967's Avatar
    Join Date
    Nov 2011
    Last On
    03-18-2024 @ 01:43 PM
    Location
    FRANCE
    Posts
    139
    Local Date
    03-28-2024
    Local Time
    04:38 AM
    Thread Starter
    butlersrangers,
    Thank you very much for these last details, I will book this 1898 as soon as possible; if I have the chance to obtain it I will present it in photos on this forum.
    Thanks for your help

    Regards

  9. Thank You to donki1967 For This Useful Post:


  10. #17
    Legacy Member butlersrangers's Avatar
    Join Date
    Nov 2009
    Last On
    03-26-2024 @ 09:38 PM
    Location
    S.E. Michigan, U.S.A.
    Posts
    737
    Local Date
    03-28-2024
    Local Time
    05:38 AM
    FWIW - Some information regarding Arms of 12th U.S. Engineers in 1917-1918:

    The 12th Engineers were mobilized at St. Louis, Missouri, in June, 1917. Equipment was issued in July 1917:

    "The arms and equipment issued were the old type, used in the Spanish American war, including the Kragicon-Jorgensen rifle". (From "History of the Twelfth Engineers, U.S. Army", by Colonel John A. Laird, pp. 7-8).

    The 12th Engineers landed at Liverpool, Englandicon on August 12, 1917. They traveled by Rail and de-trained in London, on August 15, 1917. The 12th, 13th, 14th and 17th Engineer Regiments, U.S. Army, paraded in London and received a large Public Reception. (The picture, I posted, of Engineers with Krag rifles in London, was taken during this event).

    The 12th landed at Boulogne on August 18, 1917. During, October, 1917, they were under British overall-command on the Somme. The 12th provided Railway and narrow gauge 'light rail' supply and support for British operations at Cambrai. They were 'nick-named' "The 12th American Royal Engineers".

    In November, 1917, the Germans launched a counter-offensive against General Byng's British & Canadianicon forces at Cambrai. The 11th Engineers and Canadian Engineers were overrun by a rapid Germanicon advance. The 11th was the first American unit to fight in Franceicon. Being involved in transpot and evacuation of supplies, the 11th was not well prepared for fighting and had to resort to picking-up discarded British and German rifles.

    The 12th Engineers were involved in transporting and destroying abandoned material, as well as, restoring Rail Lines, during a major withdrawal. A massive German Offensive, in March, 1918, forced the British forces from Cambrai and the Somme.

    The 12th was involved in building defensive positions around Terramesnil and Woirel to stabilize a new British defensive position.

    Owing to the likelihood the 12th Engineer regiment would be used as infantry, to strengthen the British Lines, efforts were devoted to drill, bayonet exercises, and target practice. The 12th Engineers experienced a couple of rifle exchanges:

    "The Springfield rifles, which had been issued when the old Krag-Jorgensens were taken up after the Battle of Cambrai, were now exchanged for the standard British Lee-Enfield rifle in order to obviate any difficulty in ammunition supply should the regiment be ordered into the British front line". (Page 115).
    Last edited by butlersrangers; 09-30-2020 at 03:33 AM.

  11. The Following 3 Members Say Thank You to butlersrangers For This Useful Post:


  12. #18
    Legacy Member donki1967's Avatar
    Join Date
    Nov 2011
    Last On
    03-18-2024 @ 01:43 PM
    Location
    FRANCE
    Posts
    139
    Local Date
    03-28-2024
    Local Time
    04:38 AM
    Thread Starter
    thank you for this beautiful lesson in history ... we will never forget the help of the brave US soldiers...I managed to buy this beautiful 1898, and it will join its US brothers in my safe!
    regards

  13. The Following 2 Members Say Thank You to donki1967 For This Useful Post:


  14. #19
    Contributing Member ssgross's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2020
    Last On
    Yesterday @ 09:16 PM
    Location
    Virginia
    Posts
    1,517
    Local Date
    03-28-2024
    Local Time
    05:38 AM
    Hopefully it gets a chance to go to the range too! Now that I'm finally a proud owner of a complete 1898 krag myself this year (after a long wait finding the right one), I can assure you it is very much a pleasure to see and feel it perform first hand.

  15. #20
    Legacy Member butlersrangers's Avatar
    Join Date
    Nov 2009
    Last On
    03-26-2024 @ 09:38 PM
    Location
    S.E. Michigan, U.S.A.
    Posts
    737
    Local Date
    03-28-2024
    Local Time
    05:38 AM
    FWIW:

    There were likely around 1,500 Kragicon rifles that went to Franceicon with the 12th Engineers, in 1917.
    Similar numbers of Krags probably accompanied the other U.S. Engineer regiments, (like the 11th, 13th, 14th, and 17th).

    These Engineer (railway) troops were deployed early in the U.S. WW-1 involvement. Their primary role was to take on military railway construction, repair rail lines, and operate & organize the logistics of moving war material, equipment, and soldiers to the front lines by rail, or extract equipment during retreat.

    Eventually, these Engineer regiments had their Krags replaced with more modern arms, although fighting as Infantry was not an Engineer's primary role.

    The 12th Engineer regiment exchanged their Krag rifles, for Springfield rifles, after the fighting at Cambrai, in late 1917. (In April, 1918, the Springfield rifles were replaced with Lee-Enfield rifles, due to serving with Britishicon forces).
    Later in 1918, the 12th Engineers would be under U.S. command.

    Prior to leaving France, the 12th Engineers were photographed in April, 1919, at the Port of Bassens carrying Springfields.
    Later in April, at New York, and in May, 1919, at St. Louis, Missouri, they were armed with 1903 Springfield rifles.

    This all brings up the question: What happened to the thousands of Krag rifles brought to France by U.S. Engineer troops in 1917?

    Were they shipped back to the U.S. for recruit training?
    Were they simply stored, as reserve equipment, in Europe?
    Did some of these Krags get left in France and become rare collector items?

    If old guns could only talk!

    Donki - Congratulations on your Krag purchase. Please post pictures when it arrives!
    Last edited by butlersrangers; 10-01-2020 at 01:18 AM.

+ Reply to Thread
Page 2 of 4 FirstFirst 1 2 3 4 LastLast

Similar Threads

  1. Finally found my Krag
    By ssgross in forum Krag Rifles
    Replies: 68
    Last Post: 01-12-2021, 10:28 AM
  2. Finally: The AK Original Factory Blueprints
    By Meerkoos in forum Soviet Bloc Rifles
    Replies: 4
    Last Post: 04-03-2017, 12:28 PM
  3. Finally, Finally, Got That Remmie Mosin Nagant
    By gandog56 in forum Soviet Bloc Rifles
    Replies: 5
    Last Post: 04-03-2015, 03:06 PM
  4. 1898 Original Krag what is it worth question?
    By garandman57 in forum Krag Rifles
    Replies: 2
    Last Post: 10-17-2009, 09:55 AM

Tags for this Thread

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
Raven Rocks