1921 Krag

saskdude99

saskdude99

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A buddy has a 6.5x55 Krag that he wants to sell that I might buy and possibly resell. I however haven't got a clue what it is worth. This is the info I got:
6.5x55 side load rifle,serial # 149559-stamped 1921, bolt action a REP A with what looks like z or 7 stamped into the barrel or an arrow, also a G stamped below the other markings
the barrel is 27 1/4 inches(not sure he measured from.





 
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I bought one a few years ago for $149. I have seen then sell for $200 - $300. Depends on the bore condition, most are dark and pitted and that effects price.
 
It's one of those neat, historically significant rifles that should probably be worth more than it is. I've seen asking prices from $100-$600, but they sit on the shelves for quite a while at pretty much any price.

AFAIK, the 1892/98 Rifle and 1892/99 Carbine in 30-40 Krag are the collectible ones due to their association with the Rough Riders - those ones will have the US stampings on them.

A 1921 production will most likely have been manufactured for the commercial market.
 
There I go, spouting off before looking something up...

6.55x55 points to a Norwegian Krag, 1921 production would make it a M1912 Short Rifle (maybe?) or a M1898 with a slightly cut down barrel (M1898 would have had a 30" barrel... having trouble figuring out what the barrel length was for the M1912).

Looks like the wood was sporterised at some point. The Norwegian military Krags were all full stock with upper handguard.

Wonder if Smellie will pop in and point out how badly mis-informed I am... Always willing to learn from a master.
 
The whole thing is sporterized. Drops its value by half and lessens its historical value as well. There was one(undated) on Icollector in March of 2012 that they estimated to be worth $200 to $400 US. Barrels were 30.7" long.
 
In my area that would be a $200 rifle. Pretty well completely modified to unrestorable condition(even if you could find wood). The Krags are well made and an interesting though not terribly strong design. Prices for American Krags are much higher due to American collector interest. For a knockabout rifle for woods hunting I would prefer the 6.5x55 over the .30/40 Krag. If the bore was rough at all I would pass on it personally. One thing about them if you are a bolt action man, with that single locking lug they are very smooth. Unless you buy it for $50 I wouldn't think of buying one to flip, no interest unless the price is rock bottom.
 
First off, the only thing cut down on that rifle is the stock. If you're planning on restoring it, good luck finding a stock, other than a reproduction. Then try to find the bands and hand guard.

Many of those rifles had badly pitted bores. Be really careful of bore condition.

Other than that, they are slightly different from the US made Krags.

They are light, handy and accurate with the right ammo.

If you're looking for a decent shooter at a bargain price, you can't miss on that particular rifle, as long as the bore is VG to EXC.

If the bore is VG-EXC, prices run from $175 to $275. If the fellow selling it is a friend, do the right thing and be fair with him. He might just give you a really good price anyway.
 
If the bore is really nice (unlikely) it might fetch $300, if the bore is rotten that drops in a hurry.
 
The rifle is a ex Long Norwegian Krag Model 1894 made in 1921 transfermed in a sporting rifle for the canadian market. The K with crown means Kongsberg Vaapenfabriken ( Kongsberg Weapons Factory) and before the German Invasion of 1940 the rifle was stored like reserv in the main army Arsenal ( Hovedarsenalet).

best regards
 
I use to own an engineer's carbine and it was a wonderful shooter with hand loads. The bore wasn't great but she did quite well. The only thing bad about her was the wood was cut down. I picked her up for $150.
 
The Norwegian krag's front and rear lugs contact the locking areas on the receiver, unlike the American Krag where just the front lug bears. That makes the Norwegian Krag twice as good!
 
The Norwegian krag's front and rear lugs contact the locking areas on the receiver
Click to expand...
And, the forged bolt handle root fits closely to it's deep square slot.
I've got a Globe sported .308 here that has no problem digesting mid pressure handloads.
The Krag is a fun rifle to handle and shoot.
 
I have a Norwegian from 1899. It was rebored to 6.5 MS. The bore is a sewer pipe and not my best shooter to say the least. I do love it for its action though. It's such unusual feed system and smooth action that I will keep it just because.
 
I wasn't aware that the Danish/Norwegian Krag was a stronger action than the American but that is the case. From what I can learn the newer production Danes have been rebarrelled to .308. .30/06, 8x57 etc. with no
difficulty even doing good work as target rifles in Europe. American Krag 40,000 PSI, 1920 onward Danish Krag 55,000 PSI. apparently some Danes were rebarrelled in Austria to 6.5x55 and all passed Austrian commercial proof tests. That is firing one round loaded to 1000 BAR( a little over 14,000 PSI) over the maximum commercial loading available.
 
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