Help me ID this 1898 Krag

[toyotaguy]

This belongs to a coworker of mine and I'm helping him to determine just what he has and what its value is, possibly to buy it from him. He says it shoots very well, the action feels smooth, the rifling looks strong but has some rust. I think it may be sporterized but im not sure exactly how to tell. It is missing the foregrip. Model 1898 Springfield Armory US

[toyotaguy]

[mosinnagantm9130]

Yep, it's a sporterized .30-40 Krag. It looks like the stock is it's military stock, just cut down.

Sorry, I don't know the value because I don't collect Krags (yet). Somebody should be along soon with that info.

[Jeff L]

It's been bubba'd, drastically reducing the collector value. Non original sight, missing hand guard, hacked up butt plate. I would bet the barrel has been cut down too. $250 maybe.

[toyotaguy]

That's too bad, was hoping it was in more or less military config.

[gunboat]

Yes, it has been cut-down. Stock looks refinished, cut off at the lower band. Rear sight is a replacement. Appears to be reblued.
I would not call it a bubba job. Looks to have been done reasonably for the time. they were not particularly collectible in the thirties. Cost about $1.50 from DCM. Made a useless long GI rifle into nice low cost shooter.
I agree with the value given, about 250-300 if the bore cleans up.
Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.
my tuppence

[big103]

Thats a bubba

[Jeff L]

You could try posting it on the Krag page at CSP. Dick Hosmer and a couple of other guys know a lot about them. They'll probably tell you more of the same.

http://www.jouster.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?12-Krag-Rifle