U.S. Model 1898 Krag rifle by Springfield…….(f 522) SOLD

A good example of the Krag rifle by Springfield

Serial number 419761 for October 1902.  Retrofitted with a 1901 inspected stock.  Chambered in the government .30-40 Krag cartridge with a 5-shot internal magazine.  Bolt action with flag safety to the rear of the bolt.  The rifle is loaded with individual rounds from a side loading gate, which then will snap shut.  There are no clip guides on this rifle.   Overall the rifle measures a total of 49.1/4″ in length.  The round barrel is 30″ long and the trigger pull is  13.1/2″.

The top LHS of the action wall is marked as follows: “U.S. / MODEL 1898 SPRINGFIELD ARMORY 419761.”  It is understandable why this rifle has a stock inspected from a year before its indicated production date.  In 1901 the Model 98 was recalled for the fitting of the 1901 rear sight.  It would then have been re-tested and the factory inspector , in this case J.S.Adams would have impressed his mark upon the wrist, as is.  Another marking upon the stock is the beautiful script “P” in a circle behind the trigger guard.

Full length stock with finger grooves made in American Black Walnut, with short hand-guard around sights.  The stock has a superb shine to it and it is said that bored U.S. soldiers would sit in their trenches in the Spanish-American conflict and polish their rifles with Palm oil. Much time would have had been invested in this stock to bring it to this shine.  In the process of presenting these rifles to you, in this case, I have merely cleaned the stock as one would a fine table top, as the finish was already so good.  There are no shakes or splits in the stock.  The hand-guard has however, evidence of a shake, running towards the rear, but stopping at the rivet holding the fixing spring underneath.  It has been reinforced with a modern glue and will not move any more.

The 1901 rear sight is adjustable for windage as well as range.  It is graduated from 100 to 2000 yards.  It is equipped with an aperture as well as open “U-notch” sights.  It can also be used in the horizontal position, where the ramp is graduated from 1 to 4 on the LHS.  The simple blade fore-sight offers a fine field of aim when used with the circular aperture at the rear.  Good for target shooting.

There is a flat steel butt-plate to the butt-stock which kicks-in at the toe.  It has a circular trap for the three short rods and oil bottle which were stowed there A/F) Once opened it is easily possible to read some stamped numbers within “8 1  / 84”  These are fitting numbers and match those stamped on the inside of the butt-plate.

The action on the Krag is smooth and extremely quiet.  The bolt literally feels like it is gliding in, supported by nothing.  This is a testament to the fine manufacturing which went into these rifles.  The bore is equally as good with no visible pitting or dullness. ( to the naked eye )  Most of the blueing has crept away to a grey – brown mottled patina.  When involved in the Spanish American conflict the local conditions were very destructive to the rifles and it is a wonder that some of them survive as well as they have today.  The hot weather, constant handling by sweat covered hands, the incessant damp and rain – all a rifle finish’s worst enemy.  Apparently, in sustained periods of firing the cozmolene packed between the barrel and the woodwork would start to bubble and ooze out from underneath the wood-work!  The barrels became so hot they were impossible to touch without gloved hands !  Despite this, this one however, has lasted well and is fully usable.  Freshly UK proofed.

Stock No’  f 522

SOLD 

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