Extending cut down Krag butt stock

[CoRifleman]

A few months back, I bought a 1896 krag sporter. Previous owner(s) had installed a strange cast aluminum butt plate, and cut the butt stock about an inch and a half to do so, had cut the forend, but left the barrel full length. I was interested in a handy deer rifle and this one had two problems, I wanted a cut down rifle, and this rifles barrel was pitted pretty bad.

I traded the full 1896 barreled action for a cut down 1898 barreled action. I bought a 1898 carrier / follower, side plate, and loading gate. The 1896 bits will fit in a 1898 receiver, but won't feed correctly.

I bought a weaver k2.5-60 micro trac model, and a k4-60b as well as the no drill sk mount.

I refinished the stock, removing a terrible lacquer job.



I bought a decelerator butt pad, but still wanted to do something about the stock length.



I read a few of Gunnys threads about stock repair and reached out to see if he happened to have a broken Krag stock. By luck, he DID have a donor 1903 Springfield stock that was in pretty bad shape. He came through and generously offered the stock for the cost of shipping. He later refused to let me pay him for shipping. What a guy.

Well, I spent some time on this yesterday and today. First, if I was doing it again, I would've removed MORE of the Krag stock. That would be given me a sharp edge to butt against, AND I didn't realize the stock had been somewhat thinned to match the replacement aluminum butt plate profile.

I used two brass rods and acraglass.



As it is, there's a small dip where the butt rounded to the plate, and the stock profile isn't a smooth transition to the spliced part. The transition is smooth, but it's not a straight, gradual line like it would've originally been. I used a chisel set, a lot of patience, and various grit sandpaper.





So far just one coat of tung oil.



Hope you all enjoy the second ever stock repair I've undertaken. And Gunny, thank you again.

I'll update once a few more coats of finish are on it.

 

[DocRock]

Jolly nice work on the stock. Quite impressive, especially so given this isn't something you do all the time.

I'm a Krag fan and that rifle is perfect. Very like the NRA sporters that the CMP released in the Sixties. It's very cool that you have, intentionally or otherwise, built an almost replica of one of those. Enjoy and happy hunting.

 

[CoRifleman]

Jolly nice work on the stock. Quite impressive, especially so given this isn't something you do all the time.

I'm a Krag fan and that rifle is perfect. Very like the NRA sporters that the CMP released in the Sixties. It's very cool that you have, intentionally or otherwise, built an almost replica of one of those. Enjoy and happy hunting.

I appreciate it, thanks Doc. A 1898 Krag was my second mil surp and I think they're just beautiful rifles. So when I started thinking about a handy rifle, I decided it needed to be a Krag platform.

 

[GunnyUSMC]

CoRifleman.
Very nice work. I think the members would be a little more impressed if they knew what the 03 stock looked like. It was a mess.
Here’s the pic I sent with the 03 stock next to Carbine85’s Krag stock. It was in pretty bad shape.


Here’s a tip for when using Acraglas. I very seldom use the dye that comes with the kit unless I want it black. I have found that without the dye, Acraglas blends very good with most types of wood.
Again, great job with the repair. Save the rest of the 03 stock for future repairs where you may need some walnut.

 

[CoRifleman]

CoRifleman.
Very nice work. I think the members would be a little more impressed if they knew what the 03 stock looked like. It was a mess.
Here’s the pic I sent with the 03 stock next to Carbine85’s Krag stock. It was in pretty bad shape.
View attachment 907425

Here’s a tip for when using Acraglas. I very seldom use the dye that comes with the kit unless I want it black. I have found that without the dye, Acraglas blends very good with most types of wood.
Again, great job with the repair. Save the rest of the 03 stock for future repairs where you may need some walnut.

Will do. I'll experiment with no dye. I was thinking it would end up the light cream color - I'll have to check it out.

That poor 1903 stock had a tough life. Glad it got one more go round.

 

[CoRifleman]

At the range