Krag values

H4831

H4831

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I asked this same question in a general rifle forum, this forum may be better suited for it.
I am going to look at a rifle a fellow is going to rid himself of, as he is moving. All I know is it is a 30-40, bolt action. He has been told it should sell for about $200. I am well aware of the importance of condition, but I know next to nothing about a Krag, which I presume it is.
What should I look for, like what models or types, are better than other models or types. For example, rifle, carbine, year of manufacture, etc.
I know, tough question, but any info would be appreciated.
 
Length of barrel, length of stock and serial number, type of rear sight, Model markings of receiver is what we need here, and a rough estimate can be given.
Without it all I can do is give a range...for a cut down rifle(shortened stock and or barrel) $100 to $250...an original unaltered M1892 rifle with cleaning rod, $7500 to $10,000, an M1892 rifle altered to M1896 specifications, $2500 to $5000, an original M1896 saddle ring carbine, $1000 to $3500, M1898 Rifle, $750 to $1500, Board of Ordnance and Fortifications rifle, $15,000 to $22,000, Philippine Constabulary rifle, $8500 to $12,000.
Pictures would help of course.
Cheers
Pm me if you would like.
 
Well if it is indeed a Krag when you see it the model will be stamped on the left side of the receiver. If its sporterized (which makes sense to me since you mentioned the $200 worth, an unaltered Krag is worth more than that) then you can tell what model it is by that stamp. Keep in mind however that Rifles were models 1892, 1896 and 1898, while carbines were models 1896, 1898 and 1899.

Each updated model they had some change in sights, hanguards, stocks etc etc. And older models may have been upgraded with newer parts, rifles cut down to carbines or just generally bubbad.

As with anything, we like pics ;) :D
 
Thanks a lot guys, a great help.
Unless it is really beat up and chopped up, I will probably buy it, so then will come pictures and information.
I know the person who estimated price for him, and it may not be reliable. I do not know the person who owns the rifle, but he gave me the price figure on the phone.
Now, if I can just sleep tonight, I'll see it in the morning!
 
Bittermansbro said:
That's my biggest problem too when I may be getting a new firearm....I prefer instant gratification :D

Good luck and look forward to seeing it. Don't let emotion make the purchase!
Click to expand...

The thought of having to wait another day got to me. I made arrangements to see it last night and here is it's picture on my loading bench!
KRAG005.jpg
 
Looks like a Krag carbine but he front sight is wrong & it has the round cocking piece for the long rifle.

see this pict and the high, narrow front sight.

2.jpg


So how much do they want?
 
Looks good mate! Hard to tell exactly what model it is without a closer look at bolt, stock, rear sight and front sight. It does have the 1899 carbine handguard on it though..

Just checking my refs on that front sight, it *could* be a Model 1905 sight. The model 1905 sight was common to the Rifle Model of 1903 (the Springfield) and was also used on Krag rifles cut down to carbine length by the DCM in the 20's when the supply of original carbines was depleted. This was also done by commercial ventures such as Bannermans. That type of sight could have also been purchased on the surplus market and mounted to convert it for better use as a hunting rifle.

Unless its a front sight protector like on 1903's and then it hiding the real front sight!
 
Pblatzz said:
Looks like a Krag carbine but he front sight is wrong & it has the round cocking piece for the long rifle.

see this pict and the high, narrow front sight.

2.jpg


So how much do they want?
Click to expand...

Just to point out...the small cocking piece was fitted to the Model 1899 carbine. The larger cocking piece was common on the Model 1896 and 1898 Carbines. The carbine the picture has the later "long" stock. Earlier variants of both the 1896 and 1898 carbine had a shorter fore-end, and the barrel band actually was designed to be a sight protector with a raised top section, whihc also had a notch milled out for ease of sighting.
Cheers
 
Bittermansbro said:
Looks good mate! Hard to tell exactly what model it is without a closer look at bolt, stock, rear sight and front sight. It does have the 1899 carbine handguard on it though..

Just checking my refs on that front sight, it *could* be a Model 1905 sight. The model 1905 sight was common to the Rifle Model of 1903 (the Springfield) and was also used on Krag rifles cut down to carbine length by the DCM in the 20's when the supply of original carbines was depleted. This was also done by commercial ventures such as Bannermans. That type of sight could have also been purchased on the surplus market and mounted to convert it for better use as a hunting rifle.

Unless its a front sight protector like on 1903's and then it hiding the real front sight!
Click to expand...

The Director of Civilian Marksmanship never assembled any carbines. Benecia Arsenal produced the variant commonly referred to as the "NRA carbine", whihc was made available to DCM members. The arsenal used the front sight assembly of the M1903/05 rifle and they modified the cross pin attaching the band to the barrel, I believe they ground to a different contour. Another identifying feature of the NRA Carbine is the barrel band...it appears Benecia used either an M1903 barrel band with sling swivel attached or a Krag rifle barrel band. Benecia Arsenal also used the M1903 Krag rear sight, with the lever lock at the front base of the sight, thus they had to use the flat upper hand-guard, they did not use the sight protector upper hand guard, seen on some M1899 carbines. The M1899 I used to own had the sight protector hand guard with the M1903 lever lock rear sight.
Bannerman did build a few carbines out of surplus parts, and easy way to identify these is to inspect the stock directly beneath the Krag action. They used condemned M1903 stocks and filled in the magazine well in order to contour the bottom of the stock beneath the Krag action. Also, the barrel marking can be seen at the front sight since they used surplus M1903 barrels re-chambered to 30 U.S.
Good eye though to see some of the interesting features of the gun.
Cheers
 
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