Help Identify Old Rifle

[Buster_NW]

For you collectors and enthusiasts-- Please help me identify this .30-40. It's a Model 1896 Krag-Jorgensen of some variety. Has the original stock, but it's been "sporterized" (either by a civilian as a surplus rifle or by the military after active duty). There are inserts adding a pistol grip, a raised cheekpiece, and one at the front of the forearm. The barrel also measures 23.5", which doesn't seem to fit either the original rifle or the carbine specs.

My guess is it's the "rifle" version that's had the stock chopped up and the barrel cut down, but that's just after some research on the internet. I'd love to hear what the experts on the forum think.

It's probably not worth much in it's current state, but still a cool old rifle.

 

[Ian]

I'm no Krag expert, but that sure looks like a sporterized Krag. In additon to the stock elements, the front and rear sights are also non-original.

It won't have any collector value, and the modifications are non-reversible, so you couldn't really restore it to military form. But if it shoots well I bet it could be a dandy rifle for hunting or plinking (especially if you reload).

 

[paintballdude902]

wow odd stock work but thrifty i like it it shows American ingenuity

 

[kragluver]

You are correct, it started life as a cut-down rifle. Enjoy it as a shooter. Krags are very accurate rifles so long as you properly fit the bullet to the throat. Krags made prior to late 1899 had bore dimensions all over the map. (Mine for instance slugs .312 - it was made that way - not worn.) Krags with over-sized bores (larger than .311) will perform best with cast bullets or with jacketed bullets intended for .303 British.

 

[Kernel]

Krags enjoy a reputation of having, perhaps, the smoothest action of any rifle ever adopted by any nation’s military. And they have a really groovy magazine design.

 

[Buster_NW]

Thanks for the help, fellas. It's a heavy S.O.B. when you're lugging it around, so it mostly stays in the safe these days. But it's a clever and unique design -- I never understood the remarks about the ornery operation...dumping in a handful of cartridges and closing the drawer doesn't seem to get any easier to me.