Canadian Krag-Jorgensen collectors???

Paraman

Paraman

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Hey, do any of you guys north of the line collect Krags? I understand that a lot of Norski Krags came into Canada as milsurp back in the '60s. I'm a Kraggie of long standing and own 16 (or is it 17? :confused:) of them - all US except one Norski and one Dane. I think they're ###iest, finest shooting bolt action military rifle of all time.

But then I'm sort of prejudiced on the subject! :cool:
 
I took my 1896 on our camping trip this weekend past. Momma insisted and how could I refuse. When we got camp set up I handed the rifle to her and asked if she knew how to load it. She looked mighty puzzled and opened the breech. When I flipped the box opened she couldn't believe it as those five rounds went blip blip blip in the side with no fuss.

I think it started life as a full length rifle as it has no saddle ring on the stock. The barrel was cut down before WWII to a carbine length. The origonal front sight is still on it, Looks origonal to me, someone did a nice job or cutting th ebarrel back or else it is rebarreled with a carbine barrel or restocked or.......who knows.
The last guy to own it bought it when he got back from WWII, fired it two times and then in the closet it went until the early 90's when his Son in law got it. He in turn sold it to me.

Only thing I don't like about it is the rear leaf sight. You have to draw such a fine bead to not shoot over your target it makes me hesitant to use it in dark timber. Practice I guess.

I would not say I am a collector of Krags. Reason I got this one is I found some cases last June in our hayfield where the homestead was. We are of Norkse descent so getting a Krag was the natural pick over a Win 1895.;)
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Still working on a load for the gun. Not having much luck so far......

One of the first high powers I ever shot was a Norske Krag in 6,5x54 MS. That would be 20 years ago now or close to it, I remember it like yesterday.:)

BTW, welcome to CGN!:wave:
 
Noel:

That looks like an original carbine stock on your Krag. The easiest way to tell if it's a carbine or a cut down rifle is the rear sight. ALL US Krag carbines had a "C" stamped on the sight leaf or base. In addition, the M1896 and M1901 carbine sights were calibrated to longer distances than those on the rifles. What are the markings on your's?

BTW, the Norski Krag is chambered for the 6.5x55 Swedish Mauser cartridge, not the 6.5x54 Mannlicher-Schoenauer.
 
I have not found the C or any other cartouche on the stocks. I will check the rear sight for a C. It goes to 2300yds or something crazy like that.

We have had the argument here before regarding the Mannlicher Schonear and whether it was in a Krag or not. I am familiar with both cartridges. Back then my two best friends each had a 6,5 in each chambering. The old Krag shot the MS 6.5mm and my other friend's shot the Swede 6,5, 96 Mauser.
There is no way you'd get the Swede cartridge to chamber in Trevor's old Krag, unless you pulled the barrel and put the receiver in a hydralic press.....

I am excited to hear there is hope that my rifle is not a bubba. The lock lever for the rear sight is scarred up from some clown trying to adjust it. It did get D&T'd which is a shame but other than that it has a pretty clean piece of lumber attached.
Will try to post more pics tonight. Thanks for the help!
 
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If the rear sight goes to 2300 yards (BTW, it's a M1901 rear sight) it is definitely a carbine. The M1901 rifle sight was only adj. to 2000.

I can't understand why your friend's Norski Krag would not chamber a 6.5x55 Swede because that's what is was manufactured for?
 
Is it possible it isn't a Nowegian Krag and some other countries then?
I am not up on my Krags but I know for certain what it was chambered for. I even have two live rounds I've kept from those days from each of the rifles.

The Swede went up in a fire last year and is in my garage right now... a melted piece of scrap metal. The Krag is still over at the neighbors, if I can get a hold of it I could take a bunch of pictures this weekend maybe.......

It is a 1901 rear sight from Krag pics on that website I looked at. Stay tuned for pics........
 
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Well I'll be, it is a carbine! :dancingbanana:
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:):cool:

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Misc stamps:
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And I thought the plate on my old 1950 Mauser was sharp on the edges!
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This is the part that had me really confused.... how they could have bubba'd a "rifle" model to carbine yet do such a nice job of fitting the original front sight back on. Same for the forend of the stock.
When I read how many of the rifles were cut to carbine length and how all the carbines seemed to have the saddle ring I just took it for granted this was a modified rifle. At any rate it was one of those rifles I could not forget about and ended up going back to buy it.
Too bad they added the ugly weaver side mount but it is still a gem.
 
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Hi Noel.... :)

There are two "all correct" examples of Krags, complete with extensive photo montages in the United States - Milsurp Knowledge Libraryhttp://www.milsurps.com/forumdisplay.php?f=22.

Model 1899 Krag (Caliber 30-40) Carbine (click here)
(Mfg by Springfield in 1901)

(Click PIC to Enlarge)


Model 1898 Krag (Caliber 30-40) Rifle (click here)
(Mfg by Springfield in 1899)
Regimental Marking "5th 24 D"

(Click PIC to Enlarge)

You may find it helpful to compare yours against those Knowledge Library entries ....

Regards,
Badger
 
I used to collect Krags and had 2 original VERY nice U.S. carbines and a long U.S. rifle. I still have 3 Nowegian ones though in 6.5 X 55. Joe Salter convinced me to sell him my last original Krag carbine a few years ago at a gun show. He simply offered too much money for me to ignore. They're great rifles in both calibers but my favorite is the 6.5X55. I have taken a lot of deer with those Norwegian short rifles.
Al
 
Noel: yup, that a M1901 carbine rear sight alright. It looks like some yahoo installed sling swivels on the carbine at some time but from the spring retained barrel band on the forearm you can tell it's an original carbine stock. What date/Model # is on the receiver? You will find M96, M98 and M99 carbines with that style rear sight.

The front sight has been replaced with a bead type which is common. At one time several mfgs. made these these types of front sights that could be installed on Krag rifles and carbines. If you look in Brophy's book you can find the dimensions for the original sight blades. I had my local 'smith make one to install on a M96 carbine I bought that had a bead front sight like yours.
 
Paraman,

I own two Krags, one M1898 rifle and an M1899 carbine

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The rifle came with a brass muzzle cap and a 1902 bayo in picket pin scabbard.

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And yes, I agree on the smooth, good looking usefulness of the Krag, nothing like it!
 
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My Norwegian is in 6.5x55 with a bore darker than a mine drift!! But it shoots OK and I'm going to use it deer hunting this Fall! Its too bad its been Bubba'd with a shortened stock. By the way will a US stock Fit?? it looks close. JITC
 
6.5x54MS Krag ...

Yep, some of these Krags were sold in 6.5x54 MS as hunting market sporters.
We just had one through our store that was clearly marked 6.5x54MS on the barrel, and I'm sure that I saw an identical twin to it a few years back ....
 
IIRC Globe Firearms in Ottawa bubba'd a lot of Norwegian Krags in the 60s including converting some to 6.5x54 since 6.5x55 was scarce at the time.
 
Paraman said:
Noel: yup, that a M1901 carbine rear sight alright. It looks like some yahoo installed sling swivels on the carbine at some time but from the spring retained barrel band on the forearm you can tell it's an original carbine stock. What date/Model # is on the receiver? You will find M96, M98 and M99 carbines with that style rear sight.

The front sight has been replaced with a bead type which is common. At one time several mfgs. made these these types of front sights that could be installed on Krag rifles and carbines. If you look in Brophy's book you can find the dimensions for the original sight blades. I had my local 'smith make one to install on a M96 carbine I bought that had a bead front sight like yours.
Click to expand...

It has an 1896 on the receiver or what's left of it from the hole tapping.:(
As for the front sight I figured the post had been replaced by a bead, no military rifle I've ever seen has a brass bead sight. I actually shoot better with the bead than the usual post. I would like to put a taller one in that could be held flush with the top of the wide vee for sighting. Wouldn't be hard to make by just cutting up an old sight from the parts bin. Does the pin drift out either side or only one way?

No idea when the swivel was added. It's the side mount that makes me want to barf.
 
I have a Danish Krag, which I have used for hunting. It's "energy output" are between medium and magnum power of over 3400 foot pounds with 200 grain bullets. It is, like other scandinavian guns, like the swedish mausers, extremely well made, and shoots well, and the action is a pleasure to operate.
 
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