krag question

[db_tanker]

okay finally got one of my more obtainable unicorns in my safe finally.
1898 Krag carbine. it will be treated nicely with cast lead and heavy jacketed bullets and doses of 4198, 2400 and Trailboss.

my question...been looking around for serial number look up and seems to be lacking for the sn range of this rifle

484XXX

near as I can figure it would be a late 1904 I guess but would really like to make sure.

can anyone help a fella out here?

thanks!

 

[Curator]

I have a Krag in your serial number range. #477762 is listed as the "Last official" Krag rifle to be produced by Springfield Armory in 1903. Supposedly about 200 "gallery practice" rifles were assembled from parts in 1905. The highest serial number on an "official" Krag Jorgensen Rifle or Carbine is listed as: #478694 and that includes .22 rim fire practice rifles. I know where my #484XXX "carbine" came from; it was assembled from unused surplus parts by me. Apparently at the end of the Krag era, Springfield had thousands of unassembled but serial numbered Krag actions.

I believe most were sold to Bannermans or to the NRA who had several gunsmiths assemble them to distribute to its members. When original Krag barrels ran out, the NRA bought over-runs of '03 Springfield barrels and modified them to fit the Krag actions. As for mine, I bought an Pre-WWI "armorer's chest" at a yard sale that contained a treasure trove of unissued Krag parts including a complete action and (unfortunately) shortened but new barrel. All new and unissued. From the chest's contents I assembled a new and unissued Krag carbine (well, Sporter, actually as it is missing the saddle ring). I have personally handled Krags with serial numbers in the low 490XXXs All of which were assembled with Springfield 1903 barrels but chambered for the .30US Krag cartridge.

Yours is probably one of the ones assembled after the Springfield Armory's Krag production line was shut down. If it has a good bore, you can be thankful that it was not issued as the corrosive primers and early smokeless powder was not kind to their rifling. Those in civilian hands got cleaned and ended up still in good shape a century later.

 

[someguy2800]

very interesting, thanks for posting

 

[gsbuickman]

Great information curator, thanks for your post . I also recently picked up a Springfield Armory 30 / 40 krag dated 1896 to go with my Norwegian krag chambered in 6.5 Swedish from Steyr dated 1897

 

[db_tanker]

Thank you for that awesome information Curator!

You mention the use of 03 barrels on these actions and it may be what I have here. When I get a chance I am going to hit the barrel with some calipers and check but good Lord this thing would rate as a heavy barrel. Do you have appropriate dimensions for the O.D of the barrel?

Thanks!
D

 

[Curator]

The NRA-assembled Krags with 24-inch '03 barrels usually retained the '03 front sight with a barrel-encircling band. Whereas those that had original Krag 22 inch barrels will have the Krag-type front sight that was a simple rectangular stud brazed on. Of course, many were shortened and various after-market sights were installed.

 

[bannockburn]

Curator

Good job with the Krag information! Thanks for posting it.

 

[db_tanker]

yeah I think this was one you mentioned that was modified after being installed...barrel is 22" but has a drilled and tapped front sight with what looks like a good 11 deg crown.

thanks!
D

 

[tark]

The NRA carbines were made from cut down 98 rifles at the Benicia Arsenal in the San Francisco Bay area. They had 22" barrels and the banded 1903 front sight. The rifle rear sight remained and they had no saddle ring mountings. They were not marked by the Arsenal in any fashion and today it is hard to authenticate a true "NRA" carbine. Bannerman's and everyone else under the sun were all doing the same thing.

Curator pretty much explained the faux Krag carbine situation that existed 90 years ago. The NRA and the DCM couldn't hardly give away the surplus Krag rifles. Everybody wanted a Carbine. So just about everybody started making them! Mine has a 22" barrel and the expected 03 front sight. The rifle was a 96 Krag and the rear sight is a late 98 which makes me wonder if the barrel came off a 98 rifle. No matter. The bore is pristine and the gun is very accurate. The sights are dead on at a hundred yards with the rear sight at its lowest setting. I wouldn't sell or trade it for anything.

 

[db_tanker]

tark that is what I am hoping I have here for accuracy.
I already like how it shoulders and feels. just need to keep calm and wait for the brass from Graf and my dies and all will be ready!

D

 

[Bfh_auto]

tark that is what I am hoping I have here for accuracy.
I already like how it shoulders and feels. just need to keep calm and wait for the brass from Graf and my dies and all will be ready!

D

In my Krag I'm having very good luck using the Berry's plated 30-30 bullet. I'm planning on trying their 300 blackout ones next.