Need Feedback on a US Springfield 1898 Carbine...

Permanently deleted user

July 13, 2011 15:42

Do you folks think this is the original finish? What are your thoughts on the condition? How about the value.?.? I only found a couple on GB, both started around $900 and were not in near as good condition as this rifle is. Any ideas on a decent opening bid??? Thanks! [:)]

Comments

8 comments

rufe-snow

July 13, 2011 16:11
Upper hand guard is missing. Sling has been added. Hard to tell if the finish is original from your photos? Has a lot of shine/reflection that would cause questions, if it's original. According to Flayderman's Guide the 98 Krag carbines should be in the serial number range 125000-135000. If yours isn't in that range, it's most like a Krag rifle that's been reworked/rebuilt by persons unknown.

EDIT #1, If the serial number range isn't correct, it might be one of the Bannerman guns that were assembled from surplus parts. Other then the upper handguard and the sling it looks pretty good. Might be of interest to a reinactor who would be willing to obtain some repo parts to make it look authentic. $300-$500 range might be viable starting price range
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CapnMidnight

July 13, 2011 23:34
Krag Carbine upper handguards are scarcer than honest politicions.
W.D.
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rusty3040

July 14, 2011 02:23
cut down rifle, look at front sight
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MIKE WISKEY

July 14, 2011 05:15
OR ONE OF THE "NRA" SPORTERS
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cwo4comm

July 14, 2011 06:38
Shotgun News June 20, Vol65, Issue 18 has an excellant article on the Krag. You might find copy at a local firearm dealer
regards
bob
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Hawk Carse

July 14, 2011 07:10
The barrel band front sight does not look exactly like the 1903 sight used on NRA sporters cut down from rifles. I think this a gunsmith job. Or maybe Bannerman, I don't know just how they set theirs up.

Not an as issued carbine anyhow.
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gartman

July 14, 2011 08:08
All the above discrepancies plus the receiver has been blued rather than the original grey case hardened finish. Looks like a nice, old, rebuilt, cut down Krag rifle.
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Spider7115

July 15, 2011 05:22
You have a cut-down rifle installed on a carbine stock, most likely a "Bannerman's Special". Genuine carbines have a soldered front sight, not a banded one. See the pic below. Also, you have a Model 1898 rifle rear sight (see comparisons below) and your receiver has been reblued. The original receiver was case-hardened, not blued. The missing handguard is a tough part to find but they do come along every now and then.
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