Machodoc
Old Guy
I'm really getting attracted to this rifle--mostly because of the fact that there's so much history attached to them over the brief time that they were in U.S. service.
Assessment of my first Krag-Jorgensen:
I need to do an upper band replacement on it, flip the lower band around like it should be, and clean it up. It will definitely be shot, but with the cost of ammo for it being pretty high, it probably won't get shot a whole bunch. Besides ... I've got plenty of other stuff to shoot that's cheaper to shoot, and less of a risk to the firearm.
I'll have to post photos later on, and I need to drift out the front sight blade pin before I can finish it up, but so far it looks rather nice. The learning curve on these (especially rear sights) is kind of steep, but picking through Poyer, here's what I seem to have:
Assessment of my first Krag-Jorgensen:
I need to do an upper band replacement on it, flip the lower band around like it should be, and clean it up. It will definitely be shot, but with the cost of ammo for it being pretty high, it probably won't get shot a whole bunch. Besides ... I've got plenty of other stuff to shoot that's cheaper to shoot, and less of a risk to the firearm.
I'll have to post photos later on, and I need to drift out the front sight blade pin before I can finish it up, but so far it looks rather nice. The learning curve on these (especially rear sights) is kind of steep, but picking through Poyer, here's what I seem to have:
- Model 1898 rifle
- Manufactured about mid-month of July in the calendar year 1899 (and so dated as per the serial number).
- Because it was manufactured in July of 1899, that was the beginning of the military's fiscal year for 1900, so the stock is so dated. I thought this was a mis-match at first, but it doesn't seem to be.
- Because it was manufactured in mid-July of 1899, it should have been "born" with a Model 1896 rear sight (type 3).
- If it had been made after the end of July, it would have been fitted out with a Model 1898 rear sight (then probably re-fitted, etc.)
- The best that I can figure, this one now has a Model 1902 type 4 or 5 rear sight on it ... probably type 5.
- My references seem to suggest that the Type 5 sights were cobbled up for marksmanship purposes, put onto some Army and National Guard rifles, and also put on some rifles sold by the CMP in the 1920s. I've considered going back to an 1896, but I may just leave it as is. It's generally "period correct," and it's part of the rifle's history.
- My best S.W.A.G. on this, at present, is that it most likely was a National Guard rifle ... but that's only poorly-educated speculation, at this point. Lots more research to be done.
- I've got the cleaning rod, oiler, and what appears to be a correct type RIA sling for it that's dated 1904. I think RIA leatherwork only started being dated in 1903.
