1898 Springfield Krag Rear Sight

[mike webb]

I have a decent 98 Krag that has been stripped of its rear sight including the base. Will the hole centers of other Krags rear sights mate up with the holes or do I need one specifically for an 1898? I have read there were several different rear sights. Unusual when the production time span was so short.

Information

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[butlersrangers]

All U.S. Krag rifles and carbines (as well as sight models) have the same hole spacing.

The various Krag rear-sight models require specific handguard hole-openings and mounting screws.

If your Krag has a handguard, a photo of the rear-sight opening would allow identification of the sight model that you need.

By the early 1900's, only the model 1901 and model 1902 Krag sights were being used, when rifles were being arsenal 'refurbished'.

Attached:

Examples of a 1901 and 1902 Krag rear sight, with correct handguard for the sight model. Also, a handguard guide done by Tom Pearce for the Krag Collectors Association Forum.

[mike webb]

Thanks for the quick reply. My rifle is just a cut down rifle sporter, nothing special though it is in really good shape. No handguard present. For some reason sight is gone. First Krag I have owned, really nice workmanship and metal finish. The single locking lug makes for a super smooth action as well. At first I thought it was a carbine but it has a front sight on a barrel band so I figure cut down rifle. Too bad as 1898 carbines are quite scarce from what I can learn, only 5002 made if what I read online is correct. American Krag parts are hard to come by here in Canada. Would a Danish Krag handguard interchange? I'm thinking probably not.

[butlersrangers]

Mike - Danish and Norwegian handguards are even rarer than U.S. ones and will not work on a U.S. Krag.

Since your rifle's stock and barrel were cut-down for 'Hunting', there is little need to go to the great expense of adding a handguard. A 1902 or 1901 rear-sight looks fine on an altered Krag without the handguard.

(Possibly your 'sporter' Krag once had a Pacific, Redfield, or Leroy Rice "No-Drill" peep sight on it, that resulted in the removal of the barrel sight)?

Does your Krag have a magazine cut-off lever in place on the left-side of the receiver?
If the cut-off lever has been removed, it is possible a Pacific or Redield 'no-drill' receiver sight was once used on a 'cut-down' Krag.

Your Canadian laws make it a lot trickier to get a sight that is often available on eBay in the U.S.

FWIW - I like the 1902 sight on 'cut-down' Krag rifles. It works well at woods distances (50 & 100 yards) and is adjustable for windage.

[browningautorifle]

For some reason sight is gone

As you point out Krag parts are unavailable here in Canada, your rear sight was probably salvaged and sold for what would have been more than the sporter Krag's value.

[mike webb]

Yes, mag cuttoff is in fact gone as well. I guess being as the barrel has screw holes drilled and tapped there is lots of meat for a 3/8 inch dovetail. Have seen a few online with Winchestery looking rear sights mounted.

[butlersrangers]

Well it smells to me that it was set-up to wear one of these!

The Redfield and Pacific 'no-drill' receiver sights for the Krag made use of the 'magazine cut-off hole' for mounting.

(btw - dovetailing the barrel is, in my humble opinion, a poor solution. Other sight solutions may materialize).

FYI - The barrel's threaded holes for the Krag rear-sight, if still original, are .156" X 30 tpi.

[mike webb]

Managed to pick up an 1892 rear sight for decent investment. Altough it is not correct it will still shoot good.

[ssgross]

It may also be worth noting that, although the hole spacing and threads are the same on all sight models, the screw length and head shape are not.

[butlersrangers]

FWIW - The model 1892 Krag rear-sight uses the same screw combination as the model 1896 sight.
The rear screw is short with a very thin head. The front screw is long with a thick head.