1898 Springfield/Krag: need info (PIC HEAVY)

[StrobeNGH]

Basically . . . what do I have here?
Selling it for a friend, who inherited it from his father.

 

[Abel]

You have a Krag begging to be bubba-ized into a hunting rifle.

 

[Vern Humphrey]

My own Krag was bubbaized about a hundred years ago -- and not a bad job. The barrel was cut to 24 inches, recrowned and the original front sight remounted. It has a cocking piece rear sight and hand checkering. All in all, not a bad hunting rifle.

But if I had that rifle, no way would I allow it to be "sporterized."

Here are some similar rifles advertised on www.gunsamerica.com

KRAG MODEL 1898 926460391

Military Misc. Rifles US > Krag-Jorgenson
KRAG MODEL 1898 SERIAL 271552 MADE IN 1900 EXCELLENT MARKINGS BLUE VERY GOOD WOOD EXCELLENT BORE VERY GOOD. NO RUST OR PITTING NEED MORE INFORMATION ALWAYS BEST TO CALL OUR OFFICE ... (read more)
Seller: MAX T FRANCE $1,295.00

Springfield Armory Model 1898 (Krag) .30-40, c 1901 958671144

Military Misc. Rifles US > Krag-Jorgenson
This is a very nice condition Springfield Model 1898 Krag-Jorgenson, (.30-40 Krag, .30 Army) made in 1901. It is probably a 95% finish gun, and just as clean as it could be. (seria... (read more)
Seller: Columbia Precision $2,450.00
GA Sales: 117

Springfield 1898 Krag 999283948

Military Misc. Rifles US > Krag-Jorgenson
This is a great collectible Springfield 1898 Krag chambered in 30-40 Krag. The barrel length is 30 inches long with bayonet and sling. The bore is dark, but you can still see some ... (read more)
Seller: Hunters Trading Post $2,750.00

Springfield 1898 Krag 948251744

Military Misc. Rifles US > Krag-Jorgenson
This is a nice collectible Springfield 1898 Krag chambered in 30-40 caliber. The barrel length is 30 inches long and this was built in 1903. The bore is dark, but you can still see... (read more)
Seller: Hunters Trading Post $995.00

 

[ccsniper]

DO NOT SPORTERIZE/BUBBA-IZE/RAPE THAT RIFLE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I love Krags and you can tell your friend it is probably in the 1000 range. I am not any kind of gun pricer but I see a lot of nicks and dings and the metal don't look to great. But I still say it is probably around the 1000 dollar mark. That is just my guess.

 

[natman]

At one time it was fashionable to take Krags and turn them into "sporters" with varying degrees of success. That was when they cost $5.

Those days are gone. Don't do it now unless you want to turn a $1000 gun into a $100 gun.

 

[StrobeNGH]

No worries about me "sporterizing" it. That isn't happening on my watch.

 

[Abel]

At one time it was fashionable to take Krags and turn them into "sporters" with varying degrees of success. That was when they cost $5.

Those days are gone. Don't do it now unless you want to turn a $1000 gun into a $100 gun.

You guys are about as much fun as an in-grown toenail.

 

[Jim Watson]

Bubba has already removed the handguard.
A reproduction is $65.

 

[tju1973]

Both Krags I shot (1 Original, 1 bubba'd but left in 30-40) had buttery actions and were fun to shoot. I would offer you about $1k and go from there.

Handload ammo for it...and they do make good deer rifles -- especially brush hunts. That one though would get range time and not beat up yompin through the sticks.

 

[Guncollector1982]

I have one i bought 2 years ago that looks very much like this one in appearance and condition i paid 750 bucks for it. But on the west coast and other parts saw some examples priced over a 1000....Havent shot mine all that much but will say this it has the smoothest action of any bolt gun ive ever owned. I really oughta shoot it more. Theres enough butchered military rifles out there already i dont think id have the heart to put one under the knife esp when so many slaughtered rifles are available cheaper.

 

[wlewisiii]

I have to fight the urge to make a wisecrack because I would love to find an already bubba'd K-J action. I'd like to have a guilt free chance to make one into a deer rifle.

Yours isn't the one I'm looking for. Go get good money for your friend

 

[natman]

At one time it was fashionable to take Krags and turn them into "sporters" with varying degrees of success. That was when they cost $5.

Those days are gone. Don't do it now unless you want to turn a $1000 gun into a $100 gun.

You guys are about as much fun as an in-grown toenail.

It's the truth. What am I supposed to do, lie to him?

 

[Abel]

Its not exactly a 100 dollar Krag after you turn it into a deer rifle. Those still sell for 500 & up.

 

[Vern Humphrey]

Its not exactly a 100 dollar Krag after you turn it into a deer rifle. Those still sell for 500 & up.

Maybe or maybe not, depending on how skillful Bubba was. But one thing for sure, it definitely ain't a $1,000 rifle any more.

 

[Abel]

You are right. But a 1000 dollar unmolested Krag isn't as useful to me. If its sittin' in the safe during hunting season, it might as well be a 100 dollar commemorative Daisy Red Ryder BB gun.

 

[Vern Humphrey]

You are right. But a 1000 dollar unmolested Krag isn't as useful to me. If its sittin' in the safe during hunting season, it might as well be a 100 dollar commemorative Daisy Red Ryder BB gun.

Then a good strategy would be to sell the Krag for $1,000 and buy yourself a modern rifle and scope.

People who "sporterize" military rifles -- particularly collectibles like the Krag -- usually spend more on the project than a new rifle would cost, even without considering the decrease in the sporterized rifle's value.

 

[Abel]

Strategy? The whole point is to degrade its value and ruin it as a collector piece. Then parade it around history buffs and military arms purists. That's the strategy.

 

[ccsniper]

Strategy? The whole point is to degrade its value and ruin it as a collector piece. Then parade it around history buffs and military arms purists. That's the strategy.

Ok, I was kind of wondering where the punch line was.

 

[Abel]

ccsniper, I'm as serious as a heart attack. Carve a deerhead on the stock and apply some brass tacks like an old Apache carbine. That would look wayyyy better. As is, the Krag looks ready for some WWI reenactment or a museum display. If I had the cash, I'd rescue the poor gal from such a mundane existence.

 

[wrench]

Around here, a Krag like this one would sell around $700, if the bore is good. The missing handguard hurts.
Sporterized Krags start around $200, rarely up to about $400.

 

[SaxonPig]

1. What you actually have here is a good example why I advise AGAINST saving guns for heirs. Most don't care and just sell them.

2. What is with this "Bubba" thing? Got tiresome by the 2nd time it was used in this thread let alone the 456th.

3. I agree that nice original military rifles should be preserved as is. But not all sporterized rifles are "Bubba" things.