Springfield 1898

[John Browning]

That is a very nice rifle, $800 is on the very light side of price. I'd not hesitate to pay $1000 for it, and $1200 wouldn't be out of the question as it appears most of the finish is still in awesome shape.

I'd bet that the paper is a bill of sale of some type from the DCM or direct from the Army/National Guard/DoW/DoD. Nice rifle!

[smle-man]

That is a very nice rifle, $800 is on the very light side of price. I'd not hesitate to pay $1000 for it, and $1200 wouldn't be out of the question as it appears most of the finish is still in awesome shape.

I'd bet that the paper is a bill of sale of some type from the DCM or direct from the Army/National Guard/DoW/DoD. Nice rifle!

That rifle is every bit of $1,200. Late production rifle that probably went straight into war reserve and then sold via the DCM in the 20s. From the pictures the wear looks to be handling and storage, it appears not used at all.

Beautiful!

[fishnbeer]

i am still trying to determine family history behind this.

the paper i finally removed, written in pencil which is nearly faded away "given to Tom by grandma Alice". and there is one number, possibly a date i cannot decipher.

grandma Alice is my grandma, who is from Norway. Krag and Jorgensen were both norwegian gunmakers. possibly a connection there? im not sure, it has US stamped on rifle so it would not have been imported from there.

boy this thing looks great now that it is all cleaned up. the only defect on the stock is what looks like minor water damage, two small lighter colored spots.

debating if this is something i should shoot or keep in a display case...

[John Browning]

i am still trying to determine family history behind this.

the paper i finally removed, written in pencil which is nearly faded away "given to Tom by grandma Alice". and there is one number, possibly a date i cannot decipher.

grandma Alice is my grandma, who is from Norway. Krag and Jorgensen were both norwegian gunmakers. possibly a connection there? im not sure, it has US stamped on rifle so it would not have been imported from there.

boy this thing looks great now that it is all cleaned up. the only defect on the stock is what looks like minor water damage, two small lighter colored spots.

debating if this is something i should shoot or keep in a display case...

My vote goes for DCM sales in the 20s as well. It does look pretty much unused, and if it were me that one would be a safe queen. That might be the nicest 1898 I've seen, and I would not be shocked to see it hit $2,000 in an auction based on the condition. It is really, really, really, nice.

If you want to shoot a Krag, I'd get another one. You can get a shooter for $600-$800. That one looks like something truly worth keeping in pristine shape.

[fishnbeer]

is there anywhere i would be able to do a search on the serial number to possibly find some kind of history on it? # is 404550

[smle-man]

The CMP may be able to report sales through the DCM for you for a fee. I don't know if their records go back that far. Most of the Krags sold via the DCM to NRA members were sporterized back then; there was very little interest in maintaining arms for historical purposes. Target shooters of that period used the '03 so many, many Krags were cut down for inexpensive sporters by their owners. I don't think the rifle was ever issued. By 1902 Springfield Armory was staying busy making Krags in anticipation of the '03 coming on line. Your Krag probably went into storage immediately and got its wear and tear from being inventoried for decades and then in the hands of your relatives.

[gunboat]

serial # for model 1898 run from about 109750 to 477658 -- about 330000 were built.
Production ceased in november 1904 -

[fishnbeer]

great stuff guys, thanks for the info. this is my first "old gun" and its a joy learning about the history behind this stuff. i was not even aware of the philippene american war before i had this. i feel almost like i am not qualified to have this, knew nothing of the history, knew nothing of the gun, and here i am trying to find ammo so i can go blast some stuff with my buddies.

but now that i know more about it, i can assure you guys it is in loving hands. need to find a large sock or something to put it in to keep it from getting any dings in the safe.

thanks again
very grateful for calguns and it's members for the wealth of knowledge that is here

[mosinnagantm9130]

Wow. Very nice Krag. That's a solid piece of history.

[fishnbeer]

took some new pictures after i got the krag all cleaned up. pretty much just went over all metal parts with a qtip dipped in hoppes and the stock just wiped down with a gun cloth. now shes a blingin'
rifle

front sight

got the trap door open

and found the cleaning kit. what is the silver part for???

wood