Try not to laugh too hard, she's sensitive.

What we have here is a model 1898 Krag that was converted to a parade rifle at some time in the past. Yes, that's chrome. Every piece of metal to include the bits in the sling are plated. I picked it up off of gunbroker several years ago. I bought it cheap, cheaper than it would have been in the blue. My FFL was concerned when he heard what I had purchased. Black powder blanks are often fired out of parade rifles and folks tend to be less than dilligent about cleaning them. To his relief (and mine!) the bore was good.
For a while I toyed with the idea having it stripped and blued but the cost was prohibitive, besides, its kind of grown on me (when the morning sun at the range isn't glinting off part of it and blinding me). Mindful of the single locking lug I load it light. It shoots better than I do and has perhaps the smoothest bolt I've ever worked. She gets more attention at the range than anything else I shoot.

Maybe someday I'll get me a properly blued Krag, but I'm leaving this one as is.

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Rifles: 59/66, 91/30, AK-47, K-31, Krag 1898, M1 Garand, M1917, M44, M48, M95, MAS 36/51, MAS 49/56, SMLE, No4 Mk2, 1884 Trapdoor, SVT-40, Type 99, Carcano M38, 1903A3, 91/30 Sniper,Colt M4
Pistols: C-96 Bolo, Nambu Type-14

You know, the cool thing about this is not that it's chromed, but that it appears to have been chromed well. So many parade rifles with chromed parts look terrible and being chromed just makes it worse. I can see how it has grown on you. Enjoy!

(edit): For sure, leave it as is!

Zieg

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Zieg

I like it! It's unique, and not like all the others.
Being that it was chromed means it has it's own history.
I'd leave it as is....

That's some very sharp looking chrome. It must attract a lot of attention at the range.

Thank you all. Looking at the pics I wish I had polished it up first. The bad thing about the chrome is that it shows smudges from handling. It will polish up like a new penny but I didn't bother before I snapped the pics.

I'm actually looking for a chromed bayonette to go with it. I found one on E-bay several years back but it got away. One recommendation for Krag shooters, unless you have another source watch the online retailers for 30-40 brass and when they have it in stock, pounce! It seems that Winchester and Remington only set up their machines for the stuff a couple of days a year, when its gone that's it. I ended up paying about three times the retail rate for a bag of fifty off of gunbroker. I've since stocked up. 30-40 Krag can't be easily made from anything else either. If anyone knows of a more stable supplier I'd appreciate a tip.

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Rifles: 59/66, 91/30, AK-47, K-31, Krag 1898, M1 Garand, M1917, M44, M48, M95, MAS 36/51, MAS 49/56, SMLE, No4 Mk2, 1884 Trapdoor, SVT-40, Type 99, Carcano M38, 1903A3, 91/30 Sniper,Colt M4
Pistols: C-96 Bolo, Nambu Type-14

Nice krag!

You can make 30/40 from 303 British without a problem.That seems a bit easier to find.

Way cool rifle. I didn't know you could shot parade guns-learn somethingnew every day:-)

Ronn

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The opposite of love is not hate, it's indifference.
The opposite of art is not ugliness, it's indifference.
The opposite of faith is not heresy, it's indifference.

Elie Wiesel

I might try that one day, I have plenty for now though. Before I bought that first expensive lot I researched it online. I read 303 mentioned but for everyone who said you could there was a naysayer that said don't do it. My mind gets foggy in my dotage but I think one of the major concerns was the dimensions of the rim.

I realized I forgot to post any Cartouche pics. The stock has several very clear cartouches. I don't know the little one is.

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Rifles: 59/66, 91/30, AK-47, K-31, Krag 1898, M1 Garand, M1917, M44, M48, M95, MAS 36/51, MAS 49/56, SMLE, No4 Mk2, 1884 Trapdoor, SVT-40, Type 99, Carcano M38, 1903A3, 91/30 Sniper,Colt M4
Pistols: C-96 Bolo, Nambu Type-14

JSA Inspector Stamp with 1900 build date. Circled "P" is on the underside of the wrist. Good looking rifle. Myself I am not that crazy about chrome firearms, but this one has a line of history all it's own.


Smitty

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"Sub MOA.......Now That is Gun Control"
"Be Vewy, Vewy quiet, I'm Hunting MIL-Surps."
"Dang, I think I need another Gun Safe!!!"
"If at first you don't succeed.....adjust your sights!!"

The circled P is the firing proof mark. Its one way you can be fairly certain that the stock you have is original to the rifle - that and if the JSA date cartouche matches up with the serial number for approximate date of manufacture.

That is a cool looking Krag. I'll bet she does turn some heads at the range

Thank you.

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Rifles: 59/66, 91/30, AK-47, K-31, Krag 1898, M1 Garand, M1917, M44, M48, M95, MAS 36/51, MAS 49/56, SMLE, No4 Mk2, 1884 Trapdoor, SVT-40, Type 99, Carcano M38, 1903A3, 91/30 Sniper,Colt M4
Pistols: C-96 Bolo, Nambu Type-14