U.S. Springfield Krag Model 1898 Rifle….(F 904) SOLD

Created on December 2nd 2020

Model 1898 U.S. Krag service Rifle

A good example of the Model 1898 Krag U.S. Service rifle – Infantry Model.  Full length rifle measuring 49″ in overall length.  The round blued barrel is 30″ long and the Pull measures 13.1/2″ to centre.  Chambered in the U.S. government .30-40 cartridge with a side loading 5-shot magazine.

Two piece smooth American Black Walnut stock with finger groves and a hand guard over the barrel.  Nickel plated bolt body with incredibly smooth action.  Blued action with outer wall marked as follows : “U.S. / MODEL 1898.  SPRINGFIELD ARMORY.  432744″  from published records this gives production of this rifle on the cusp of 1902/3.  1903 being the last year they were made in earnest.  The Model 1903 taking its place shortly afterwards.  To bear out production data there is a cartouche on the LHS of the wrist which is just discernible within a box which looks to read; ” J.S.A. / 1902″ in a script text.  The initials belong to J. Sumner Adams, this is the final inspection cartouche.  There is a circled “P” in script just behind the trigger guard, this is the Firing Proof mark.

The only other official markings noted on the stock are the 5/8″ tall white filled digits “123” on the top surface of the butt-stock just in front of the butt-plate tang – possibly a rack number.  The butt-plate is a flat plain steel plate with a trap for stowing the cleaning equipment – empty.  The sprung side loading gate has a very strong closing spring and is instrumental in pushing the rounds round during feed.  The nickel bolt body and the niter-blued springs create a handsome contrast with the blued sections of the action.  Round knurled cocking piece with safety catch and on the outside of the action on the LHS is a feed selection catch.  This can make the rifle act as single shot or be fed from the magazine.

The exposed portion of the barrel still holds a strong colour and only really shows high edge wear at the muzzle.  The rifle is fitted with the 1902 model rear sight with the very useful Sargent Peep rear sight, a sliding aperture a-fixed to the rear of the sight block.  The sight is also equipped with windage adjustment and is graduated from 200 to 2000 yards.  Springfield “U” marked barrel band with forward sling swivel.  Nose-cap with bayonet lug under and rear sling swivel on underside of butt-stock.  Single blade font sight.  Good bore with four grove rifling, signs of use but no serious damage.  Steel trigger guard with smooth trigger.

The stock has suffered a serious split at its weakest point but has been effectively and professionally repaired with turned wooden plugs covering repair screws from either side.  The original fault line is visible but, there is absolutely no movement within the fault since the repair.

A scarce collectible US service rifle directly in from its home country ready to be put through its paces again for another lease of life.

Please ask for F 904

£ 1445.  SOLD

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