Newly-acquired Model 1898 Rifle

[Rick the Librarian]

Krags are addictive, John -- I have three of the little devils, including a 436,000 rifle that must have been sold virtually unused but later (before I got it) fell upon bad days. The bolt was polished so bright I thought had been plated!!

If I didn't have a terminal case of "Springfielditis", I would definitely have a LOT more Krags!! Still like one of those rifles with Italian walnut - they sure are purty!!

[John Beard]

John,
All Krag bolts were polished/bright. A lot of bolt handles appear blued/dark. It's just from years of use with dirty, oily hands that darkens the bolt handles.

If you ever decide to sell it, drop me a line. Heck I might even trade you one of my early Remintons for it!
Take care
Chuck

Thanks for the reply!

And thanks for the kind offer of a sale or trade. But, I must decline. It's the only Krag I've got. And I've wanted a decent one for a long time.

Thanks again!

J.B.

[C Dexter]

It has been a couple years since this post but I came across it trying to research a Krag I recently bought. I have a similar story with a slight difference-mine has the light colored walnut with strong tiger striping on it and a beautiful 1901 cartouche. However, mine has a dark red handguard on top around a 1901 sight. Does anyone know if it was common to mix the two woods or do you think someone did it later? Should I try to find a matching handguard or leave it alone? Is it even feasible to expect to find an Italian walnut handguard? Thanks for any advice- I am brand new at Krags.

[kragluver]

Handguards often broke and were replaced. It is very possible that yours is a replacement. The only Italian Walnut stocked Krag I've ever personally handled had a matching stock and handguard. That doesn't mean that they couldn't have mixed and matched during manufacture.

[tinbender]

Here are some pictures of the one and only Krag that I had. I purchased it several years ago and after some e-mail correspondance and pictures with the late Col Mook, he told me that it was one of the IW stocked rifles. It seems to fall outside the generally accepted range, but he was certain that it was. He even offered to buy it from me, but I had to decline. I looked a long time for a nice rifle at a good price and this one fit the bill.

Serial no. 315391. Cartouche date of 1901. First variation 1901 rear sight (small peep). In bright sunlight, it had a very orangish-red color with some subtle tiger-striping.

[C Dexter]

That is a beautiful stock!

[Alkali]

Belated congratulations to John for "branching out". I just noticed this older post and couldn't add a thing to the worthwhile responses.