They're On The Truck!!! (Krags)

[5hundo]

I guess CMP miss-filed my order as "complete" but they've corrected it now. My 2 Krags and barreled receiver are on the truck!!!

They're set to arrive tomorrow.

I'm dead-set on dispelling the "Junk" myth about the Krag rifles, so I'll let you all know how it goes. My last one headspaced well, so I'm hoping for two more shooters. I'll let you guys know tomorrow...

[104thEngr]

Looking forward to seeing how they turn out. Keep us posted.

[5hundo]

Looking forward to seeing how they turn out. Keep us posted.

I'll post some pics later tonight...

I missed the Fedex guy...

[erblo]

Pics!

[5hundo]

Well, it's not all bad but it's not that good either.

First of all, both of the rifles were Carbine length, which I don't really mind but I don't know enough about them to know if they're carbines, or if they were cut down to carbine length. If I had to guess, I'd have to assume the latter because the bayonet lug doesn't have the screw that goes through. Now for the good news: both rifles headspaced on a No-go gauge, so they're at least safe to shoot.

Here are some pics of the first rifle:



Both rifles are missing the rear sight, which is disappointing.



Here's a shot of the serial number. It's hard to read anyway, so I'm not going to bother blacking it out.



One rifle has a bent magazine cutoff, so that's not good but I'm sure I'll come across another one at some point.



The magazine has a block-off plate installed and an extra screw has been added to hold it in place. You can see that in the picture above.



One of the rifles is missing the front sling swivel.



Lots of dings on the stock..

[Gunaria]

The serial number just might be in the carbine range. Is there a C or a U stamped on the front barrel band?

[5hundo]

The serial number just might be in the carbine range. Is there a C or a U stamped on the front barrel band?

U's on both of them. The only thing that makes me think they might be bona-fide carbines is the fact that they are both the same in configuration...

Still though, I've got two shooters. It's hard to complain about that...

Here are some shots of rifle #2:









...and here is an overall length comparisson to my Infantry length 1898

[5hundo]

In looking at these rifles a little closer, I've noticed somthing interesting that makes me think that they might be genuine carbines. Look at this picture:



The barrel is made to fit a Krag bayonet. Could that be a clue?

[stevenjay1]

5hundo, I believe you may want to do some additional research on these two Krags. You could have something a little special.

M1899 Constabulary carbine - model built for use in the Philippines. Basically a M1899 Carbine fitted with a full length stock and a bayonet lug, and the muzzle stepped down to accept bayonet.

Also, check out these sites and forums. I'm not a Krag expert but the turn down barrel activated a few brain cells!

http://www.kragcollectorsassociation.org/ Look at the photos

http://www.jouster.com/forums/ go to the Krag forum

http://forums.gunboards.com/forumdisplay.php?f=85 The gunboards Krag forum

Let us know what you find. Steve

[footdoc]

Very interesting... They do look like the Filipino Constabulary carbines.

Which grade did you buy? The $450 or $350? How is the bore? Do they have the firing pins?

A buddy who went to the North store said the Krags he saw had bores that are either badly pitted or shot out and most didn't have the rear sights or firing pins.

I think they would make good projects to restore, but replacement parts may be costly. I wish you good luck on your restoration project.

[5hundo]

Very interesting... They do look like the Filipino Constabulary carbines.

I'm starting to think that this might be the case. There is a picture on the Krag Collector's site that has it listed as an "Model 1899 Carbine altered for knife bayonet and gun sling" carbine.

Can someone with an up-to-date Blue Book tell me what a ballpark estimate for one of those is? I honestly have no idea. I've been told that the carbine Krags are generally more collectable, like the saddle-ring models but I don't know about these.

Which grade did you buy? The $450 or $350? How is the bore? Do they have the firing pins? A buddy who went to the North store said the Krags he saw had bores that are either badly pitted or shot out and most didn't have the rear sights or firing pins.

I paid the extra $100 and got the MKRAGX rifles. Both have firing pins included but both had missing rear sights. The rifling on one rifle is near flawless and the other bore looks dirty but still has plenty of rifling left (I'll have a better idea when I clean it). They both have tight muzzles (one is better than the other, though) and a .308 diameter bullet makes a tight fit.

I think they would make good projects to restore, but replacement parts may be costly. I wish you good luck on your restoration project.

The one rifle is notably better than the other. It has the front sight blade, everything functions and it really only needs a rear sight to be good to go. You're right about the other one, though. It will need some work...

[Army GI]

Nice rifles there! Don't forget about that cartridge OAL tip when you get around to reloading for it

[joefrank64k]

Can someone with an up-to-date Blue Book tell me what a ballpark estimate for one of those is? I honestly have no idea. I've been told that the carbine Krags are generally more collectable, like the saddle-ring models but I don't know about these.

This is straight from the 30th Edition of the Blue Book:

Philippine Constabulary Rifle - records from the Bureau of Insular Affairs show that the civil government of the Philippines purchased Model of 1899 carbines, and had them modified by the U.S. military at the Manila Ordnance Facility. 4,980 converted.

The absence of an authenticated example of this model precludes accurate pricing.

[Nodda Duma]

Very nice!

-Jason

[5hundo]

I just got off the phone with a Krag expert from Idaho.

These are aparantly known as "school rifles". The brass magazine block is actually a blank adapter that has a new feed ramp to keep the blanks from jamming up in the magazine...

Apparently, there aren't that many Philippine rifles here.