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DocCasualty
05-15-2013, 04:18
I see some familiar names on different forums but thought I would share this here too. I bought this M1898 a couple of years ago having always wanted one. It seemed like a pretty nice rifle though the sights had been changed by the former owner. I didn't realize at the time that finding and changing out the front sight was going to be a bigger deal than I thought and that's why it sat so long. There was a rear sight assembly that came with it but I found that was actually a M1903 sight. I discovered the KCA forum and with help and encouragement there moved ahead. I searched for an original front sight to no avail and finally picked up repro base, blade and pin from S&S, blued them using a combo of oil quenching followed by browning solution. A local gunsmith was able to get the that Remington 721 sight off that had been soldered on and fit the repro for me. I picked it up yesterday. The 1901 rear sight was an easy find and fit, even for me. The front sight is certainly not the fit of an original but I'm pretty pleased with the result and am looking forward to a trip to the range.

Before:

http://i298.photobucket.com/albums/mm276/DocCasualty/1898%20Krag/Krag001.jpg

After:

http://i298.photobucket.com/albums/mm276/DocCasualty/1898%20Krag/013.jpg

http://i298.photobucket.com/albums/mm276/DocCasualty/1898%20Krag/021.jpg

http://i298.photobucket.com/albums/mm276/DocCasualty/1898%20Krag/022.jpg

http://i298.photobucket.com/albums/mm276/DocCasualty/1898%20Krag/020.jpg

http://i298.photobucket.com/albums/mm276/DocCasualty/1898%20Krag/015.jpg

http://i298.photobucket.com/albums/mm276/DocCasualty/1898%20Krag/009.jpg

http://i298.photobucket.com/albums/mm276/DocCasualty/1898%20Krag/Krag013.jpg

http://i298.photobucket.com/albums/mm276/DocCasualty/1898%20Krag/Krag010.jpg

http://i298.photobucket.com/albums/mm276/DocCasualty/1898%20Krag/Krag004.jpg
Mark Daiute
05-15-2013, 05:19
Nice! Wish I'd known you need an original front sight base. I purchased the last 4 inches of a Krag barrel just for the front sight base thinking someone might need one. Guess I was right. It still sits in the door pocket in my car...

Good work.

Mark
jon_norstog
05-15-2013, 07:03
Nice save, Doc

It looks like that rifle was otherwise unmolested. Nice wood on it!

jn
DocCasualty
05-15-2013, 07:56
Besides the sights, everything else appears untouched. The bore is shiny with excellent rifling too. I bought it to have a representative shooter and think I have that now. I think this rifle would have had a pretty good collector value had they left those sights alone. KCA folks suggested it probably is one of the Italian walnut stocks, lighter in color than the American walnut.

That's exactly the kind of thing I was hoping to find, Mark. I even bid on a couple of barrels that showed up on eBay but the prices were going beyond what I wanted to invest in the sight. At this point I think I'll just casually keep an eye out for one to show up at a show or online and maybe redo it some day if it seems worthwhile.
Mark Daiute
05-15-2013, 12:54
It's great just as it sits.

M
RCK
05-15-2013, 02:07
Your work restoring that great rifle was excellent. I agree it is right as it is right now. Shoot it and enjoy the rush!
Dan Shapiro
05-15-2013, 08:09
Ya done good, Doc!
DocCasualty
05-17-2013, 03:41
Thanks, guys! I took her to the range yesterday and am very pleased; she's a shooter! Nice groups, windage is centered with the rear sight windage set at 0. Shoots ~ 5" high with the peep at 100 yards (dang that peep is small; these eyes must be getting old!) and 12" high with the battle sight. I was shooting Winchester 180gr STs.

Love that bolt, too. I think the only other rifle I have with that smooth of an action is a Sauer M202.