1898 Springfield value help

fuse

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I came across a 1898 Springfield and am pondering it's purchase. Who am I kidding, it's cool and I want it. I just don't know what a fair offer price is. It is chamber in 30-40, well used and was sporterized 40-50 years ago. It is a well used but functional gun. A quick online search of pictures makes it look like a Krag design, side mag. Values up to $10,000. It's not a $10,000 gun but a ball park idea would help if any one would know. I understand without pic's or more details it's hard but any help would be appreciated.
 
30-40 Krag

From your description, it is a Krag. The 1898 Springfield marking is for Springfield Armory, the U.S. Government facility to make rifles for their military.

There were two major variations, the Rifle and the Carbine. It was short lived, and replaced by the 1903 Springfield 30-03 rifle which became the 30-06 three years later.

What you think is a sporterized rifle just might be an original Carbine. Pictures need to be posted, and more detailed information given. The 30-40 cartridge is roughly equivalent in power and ballistics to the .303 British cartridge.

It would have to be an exceptional firearm to generate $10,000. Sporterized Krags generally run in the +/- $300 range, depending upon condition.

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Very slim chance of it being a carbine, that started out that way from the factory.
Large numbers of rifles were shortened. You likely have one. By your sketchy description I would say it is worth about $200.
 
"...Values up to $10,000..." Not for a sporterized Krag.
A Krag carbine does look a lot like a bubba'd rifle. This should help determining if it's a bubba'd rifle or a Carbine. http://www.surplusrifle.com/uskragcarbine/index.asp
You may want to re-think buying any rifle chambered in .30-40 Krag, if you plan on shooting it. Ammo is extremely hard to come by, Stateside, never mind here. Both Winchester and Remington only make ammo and brass, seasonally. Never been able to find out what season. Epp's lists ammo, but that doesn't mean they have any.
 
It has been sporterized. He had it done a few decades ago. I don't really plan on shooting it. He does have a box of ammo for it as well. It just has a neat history/story and I thought it would be a nice collectable. I just don't want to over pay. I was hoping to hear a $200 offer wouldn't be an insult. That's what I felt comfortable paying. Now to see what happens. Thanks guys
 
I have an 1899 Krag carbine and all the parts are carbine. Checked it out in Brophys book. The bore isn't that great but its shootable.
If its a true carbine its worth much more than $200 You will have do your research before you go to far.
 
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