AlexanderA
Member
As a collector of U.S. military weapons, the main thought that goes through my mind when I see a sporterized Krag (or other ex-military rifle) is how easy or difficult it would be to restore it to original condition. Something that has simply had the stock cut down is much more desirable, to me, than a gun that has had extensive metal work. Drilling and tapping for a scope, for example, destroys the collector value.
Regarding Krags, one of the "holy grails" of U.S. military collecting is an unaltered Model 1894 with a full-length cleaning rod, no butt trap, and straight butt plate. Almost all of these were converted to the 1896 model by filling the cleaning rod channel and modifying the butt. If you find a Krag with a cleaning rod under the barrel, grab it for whatever price! (I was lucky enough to have found one while they were still unrecognized.)
An unmodified 1894 Krag is only slightly less rare than a 1918 Pedersen Device.
Regarding Krags, one of the "holy grails" of U.S. military collecting is an unaltered Model 1894 with a full-length cleaning rod, no butt trap, and straight butt plate. Almost all of these were converted to the 1896 model by filling the cleaning rod channel and modifying the butt. If you find a Krag with a cleaning rod under the barrel, grab it for whatever price! (I was lucky enough to have found one while they were still unrecognized.)
An unmodified 1894 Krag is only slightly less rare than a 1918 Pedersen Device.