doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion Classic & Custom Single Barreled Sporting Rifles @ doublegunshop.com Krag Target Rifle

I contacted Cabelas on this rifle yesterday and it has been put on layaway so we don't have to worry about more competition for potential buyers.

Krag

I'd be curious what some of you think of it. The forend and front sling swivel have a hoffman look to them, but I would think this rifle would date from before the mid 20's. I'd have thought that by that time the 03 had taken over the rifle ranges. Hard to tell in the photos, but it appears to me the top of the comb has been shaved down a little. Looks like a quality rifle, and fair price which is unusual for cabelas.

John

Apparently it has a Winchester marked heavy barrel. This might serve to date the rifle ... I would guess it is from a .30'06. I think the earliest Winchester heavy '06 barrels were put on 1903s, was it the so-called "sniper" model? Then not long after that, I guess in the mid 20s, there were some heavy '06 54s. Perhaps there is someone on this forum who can tell us more. Of course gunmakers were buying Winchester barrels to build rifles with, G&H for one, but I do not know if those barrels were Winchester marked or when these barrels were offered. The very long near 30" length also may be a clue. Disagree with Gasgunner, I do not think comb has been shaved. Also to be noted, buttplate appears to be NRA 1903 Sporter. This may also help date the rifle. I think this plate was copied by at least one supplier, but even so it would not be earlier than the NRA Sporter. Don't have my 1903 books here, so somone else will have to provide the date the Sporter was introduced. Mid 1920s I think.

I would like to see a couple of more pictures, especially of the bottom and a full view of the cheekpiece side of the gun and the bolt finish.

I'd like to see a picture of it in my gun safe....
Regards, Joe

Considering that the (later) scope alone is worth $400+, the asking price is very fair! Glad you found it, and I hope you enjoy it. I like Krags.

I guess I could have been more clear. The rifle was put on layaway before I called Cabelas. As usual, I was a day late and a dollar short. I agree, someone got a fair deal, which is unusual for cabelas, but it was not me.

I am not sure, but I believe the first use of the NRA sporter buttplate would have been on the model of 1922, .22 training rifle.

John

1878 - I was thinking the same thing, and buying at that price leaves some room for profit making in the future. I'm not a fan of Krags however.

It occurs to me that there were .30 heavy Winchester barrels on High Walls in several calibres, 30-30, 30-40 and '06. So that throws the possible date even further back.

Nice rifle. I do love a Krag and feel your pain. I'd like that in my gunsafe too.

Jerry Liles

Brody's Krag book shows 2 Krag actions with heavy Winchester barrels. Both were apparently developmental rifles, retained at the Armory and used to test sights and ammunition. So heavy Winchester barrels on a Krag are apparently contemporary with the Krag in its developmental stages.