Springfield 1898

[fishnbeer]

Visited my uncle this weekend who I have not seen in years. While we were talking got on the subject of guns and that reminded him of a rifle that he had, which was my fathers (he passed away in 96') and was given to him by my grandmother. We do not know any history of this rifle beyond that. We cannot recall any family members who were in the service during WW1.

Anyway he got it out of the closet and its a Springfield 1898. Looks to be in great shape, stock is good, no rust anywhere just a little dusty and needs a good cleaning and to have a few rounds go down the pipe. I did a brief search on it and determined its a .30-40 Krag which i am not familiar with. It also has an interesting side-loading 5 round magazine that i have never seen before.

I am by no means interested in selling this rifle, but just out of curiosity how much do these go for? anyone care to share any interesting pieces of history about this?

and where might i find some ammunition?

Here's a few pics, enjoy

[fishnbeer]

stamped on the stock
given the markings on the rifle, how would i go about searching for information on it?

[Emdawg]

I have one made in 1901. Is yours a full length rifle? I see it is in good shape (a little rust on the magazine cut-off yikes!) or my eyes are getting bad.

Yours might be worth about $800, assuming it is in correct shape.

[gunboat]

How about a photo of the whole rifle ?
Photo of rear sight
photo of fore-end and upper bands --
I concur on value -- depending on completeness and condition -

DO NOT CLEAN, other than wiping out the bore and exterior wipe down --

I hope unk gives it to you and it remains unmolested --

The Krag, in several models was the service weapon from about 1894 to 1903 --
It was used in the Spanish american war, the boxer rebellion and the phillipines.
It also went overseas in WWI with engineers and service troops as the springfield and enfield were in short supply at first.
In the 1930's, and perhaps sooner they were sold through the NRA for about $3 to your door ---
Perhaps the smoothest operating bolt action made, certainlt smoothest military bolt action.
These are just a few generalities, you can spend a lifetime reading info about them --

I am rather fond of them, perhaps you noticed? -- I have about 8 --

[Jeff L]

Nice looking Krag. I'd like to get one at some point. In case you don't find the answers you want here, you can try: http://www.jouster.com/forums/forumd...?12-Krag-Rifle

[Wernher von Browning]

Side note -- "Civilize 'em with a Krag."

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Military_Order_of_the_Carabao

And the lyrics shown there are the more "socially acceptable" ones.

[fishnbeer]

ill take some more pictures tonight. as far as i can tell it has not been cut down at all or "sporterized" . there is a tiny bit of surface corrosion on the bolt but not too bad. i didnt notice much rust anywhere else. but it is very dusty from being in a closet for 15 years and not getting touched

[CEDaytonaRydr]

DO NOT CLEAN, other than wiping out the bore and exterior wipe down --

Why...?

[fishnbeer]

some pics of complete rifle, sight, bands, and butt plate

there is a note that is taped around it, which i am going to leave in place until i can figure out what it says

i would like to find a matching sling for this rifle as well

[fishnbeer]

one of the bands, and another of rear sight

[gunboat]

Going by the photos - i would say you have a winner!
I presume the white wrap is a paper tag and not stuck to the weapon --

Regarding my comment not to clean -- I meant not to clean it to death trying to get the rust off and ruin the finish that is left -- It looks pretty good and when you learn a bit more about the care and feeding of antiques you can probably touch it up some.

I suggest removing the bolt and checking the lug for cracking before firing - A goodly number of krags crack at the lug root from too enthusiastic reloading. It will be obvious when viewed.

For longer life I suggest reloading with cast bullets -
Lyman cast bullet # 311290 or 311284 and some 4227 powder will put you way down range --

That rifle is a joy to behold --

[Jeff L]

You'd be surprised how many guys out there will clean up an old gun with a wire wheel on their drill, cutting the value of it in half.

[kendog4570]

That is a mighty nice Krag. Listen to the gunboat man about overzealous cleaning and "fixing". Leave the wood alone.
Lyman 311284, cast from junk lead and sized .310, with 16+- grns. of 2400, and WLR primer. With that load in my '03, can beat like rifles on a 200 yard reduced course with them shooting matchkings. Your Krag will like it too.

[fishnbeer]

all of the dust cleaned and the lighter rust cleaned right up with a q-tip dipped in hoppes. the stock i just wiped down with a silicone cloth. the bit of rust on mag lockout is thicker and i beleive it is going to stay there.

still a few questions, before i fire it:
-how do i remove the bolt to inspect for cracks?
-for ammo i have no reloading equipment (and have never done it), would some remington core lokt be ok?
-about the rear sight, i beleive windage adjustment lever is stuck; how do i unstick it? and are the # increments on the sight in yards?

[gunboat]

To Remove bolt -- open and pull to the rear -- Pry up the extractor close to the bolt face and rotate bolt to the left (up). Extractor will rotate at rear pivot point and bolt can be withdrawn.
To replace have extractor swiveled a mite to right, insert bolt in raceway and rotate into place --
Easier done than said --
I use a small bit of wood dowling slimmed down enough to fit under extractor but a screw driver gently used is probably most folks choice.

Windage lever -- I cannot see detail well enough in photo -- if it is the style with a small lever at the front of sight -- It releases by rotating it to the left .
I would lube it with some kroil or other penetrating type oil for a day or so, then tap it GENTLY with a bit of wood dowel. They often get a mite stuck.
Sights are in yards but calibrated for the milt ammo of the time.

I would expect any commercial 30/40 ammo to be suitable.

30/40 is a good cartridge to learn reloading -- contrary to todays popular thinking it can be reloaded very successfully with minimum tooling.
I would also start gathering brass, 30/40 brass is now a "batch" item from the factory made in periodic runs --
my tuppence