1898 Springfield 30-40 Krag Questions

168bergersapper

168bergersapper

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I've current got the chance to pick up an early 1898 Springfield 30-40 Krag thats in relatively good condition. The bore has strong rifling with little frosting if any. Very shootable. Has one of the best triggers I have felt on a mitary rifle. The metal has typical wear for a 114 y/o rifle but no pitting at all. the only real catch is that bubba got his greddy meat hooks on the stock and chopped it about half way down the barrel, thank god he didn't have time to get to the barrel itself, that remains at its correct length. The seller is asking $500 for it in this condition is he out of his mind or is that a descent price? Thanks for the help. Cheers.
 
To me he is a little high even though the the barrel hasn't been cut. It is still a bubba'd Krag and to me isn't worth over $350, others may disagree. Original stocks MAY still be available in the U.S., aftermarket replacements are but metal hardware is hard to find her( for the muzzle end of the original stock).
 
One key point to bear in mind with the Krag is the serial and Date of manufacture. If it is and early gun model 1896 it would be worthwhile to restore.
A later 1898 model not so hot. However if it an 1892 model $500 is not that far out of line. it all depends on serial number.
BTW, I have studied the Krag and most arms made by Springfield fro the better of 30 years. The majority of my Springfield Collection has been sold though I have kept a few good pieces.
Notably I still have an 1896 and alter 1898 rifle.
Decades ago I bought a similar bubba'd Krag and proceeded with a restoration. Went to Windsor plywood for a piece of straight grained walnut doing a comparison of the remains of the wood I had on the gun.
Note...I took the stock to the store not the whole gun!!! I had the barrel channel routed out, then re-fitted the piece to the remains of the stock by joining it under the lower barrel band. Once finished it looked awesome as the wood matched very closely. The problem piece woudl be the upper barrel band...if you can find one it would be very expensive if you can import one. I have a spare in my parts bin, though would be hesitant to sell it. Restoration can be done though it takes time and effort.
The price the fellow is asking is too high and I agree with most here that $250 to $300 would be more inline.
Cheers
 
The other thing to think about is the near total lack of ammo or brass. According to Midway USA, only Winchester and Remington load it, but only "seasonally" with no mention of when that season is. Their site is down so I couldn't look. Very much doubt there's any in Canada.
You may want to rummage around here. http://www.kragcollectorsassociation.org/
Don't think I'd part with $500 for a bubba'd rifle either.
 
I just picked up a Krag in 6.5 Norwegen. Is it the 6.5x55?
Forestock is cut down and barrel's a bit frosty but otherwise in really nice shape for a 100+ year old rifle.
 
zuke said:
I just picked up a Krag in 6.5 Norwegen. Is it the 6.5x55?
Forestock is cut down and barrel's a bit frosty but otherwise in really nice shape for a 100+ year old rifle.
Click to expand...

A Norwegian Krag should be 6.5x55. All the Norwegian Krags I have seen had really bad bores, you got lucky.
 
The brass isn't that hard to come by; I've a Bubba'd 1892 (S.N. 1994) and while I scored about 250 rds on the EE here, it's still pretty common.
I saw some on the shelf at Cabela's Regina a little while ago.
It's easily formed from 303 br too apparently.
Waters speaks quite highly of it in 'Pet Loads' as well. Easy to reload well apparently and more effective than numbers suggest too.
 
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