I finally got an original M1898 Krag Rifle.

[Badger]

Most collectors of military surplus arms are looking for, or have found, a Krag. I did obtain a .30/40 M1896 Krag carbine 10 years ago that was in about good condition. The barrel had been sawed off at 16.5 inches and the bore was very dark. The stock was a Herter's product from 25 year ago. The only decent part was the action. A great gunsmith took a year to fit a new barrel, headspace it and blue the metal. So, I had a Krag, but it was a "sporter" type.

Last December I saw an ad in our weekly Penny Saver paper advertising "A Krag Rifle for sale." I made the call and then went to look at the offering. It was an "as issued" M1898 rifle in very good+ condition in and out. It came home with me and I am now working up accuracy load for it. I plan to use it opening day for our rifle deer season this year.

Who else likes the old Krag?

Badger

[Altjaeger]

Between the custom rifle and this find it sounds like a week you should have played the lottery.:D

[Badger]

Altjaeger,

LOL! I did better than play the lottery; I INCREASED my church pledge. Thanks for reading my stuff; I read your's as well. Be well.

Badger

[Bushman]

The .30-40 Krag had the smoothest action that I have ever felt on a bolt action rifle, but the most bizarre magazine too. Maybe as a collector they would be interesting. It is just getting past the ugly factor that would prevent most people from having one.

[Badger]

Bushman,

I suppose beauty is in the eye of the beholder. Many folks like the looks of the old Krag. I see the magazine as an engineering marvel. It was not good for combat, but an ingenious design all the same.

Badger

[Bushman]

Badger, then too if a guy had a new custom .264 WM and a military Krag and he was in a quandary as to which one to take out hunting... What would a guy like that be thinking?:confused: That line about life being too short to hunt with an ugly gun comes to mind.

[Badger]

Bushman,

LOL! IF it is not raining opening day, I will take a M1884 .45/70 Trapdoor rifle afield. Some folks see commercial rifles as ugly and some dislike military arms. Well, that is what makes this a great country. Be well.

Badger

[blackhawk]

I have an 1896 Krag,that Paul Jaeger sporterized. The original sights were removed and a P.J. quick detachable scope rings installed. The rings are 3/4" dia. I located another P.J. ring set in 1" dia. and mounted a Luppy M-8 4X scope. It's not a bad shooter,I just wish it had never been sporterized.BTW I think the Krags were the best looking Military rifle ever made. Also the smoothest bolt action ever.JMO :D

[Badger]

blackhawk,

Welcome to the Forum; I see this is your first post.

As you probably know, 1896 was the first year they made the Krag Carbine. I like the looks and feel of the Krag and it reminds me of the early days of deer hunting here in the big woods. In the late 1940s, the NRA/DCM sold Krags for $7.50 each, plus shipping. In the early 1960s there were barrels of Krags in the gun shops for $15-$20.00 each. They are getting harder to find in decent shape.

Again, welcome to this site.

Badger

[blackhawk]

Hi badger
I've been here for awhile, and yes I can remember going into Joe the Mototists Friend,( an auto parts and hardware store ) and looking at all the Mauser,Enfield,Springfield rifles that were stuffed into wooden barrels,and on the inside of the back cover of the American Rifleman Magizine . Those were the days.You could buy those rifles really cheap back then. Times have changed,and I'm sure they'll change again.and I'm positive ,not for the better.