Yes, I went to a gun show. First one in a few years. Got tired of the same ol' same ol'.
Today was a bit different. I was there helping a local organization find some donations for their event.
So, I'm wandering through the 8x fired brass, over-priced re-manufactured ammo and the 12 dozen $700 RAR's when I come to a gentleman with 6-8 rifles on his table.
He's got an original Krag still in military set up for $850. Over to the side though is a 'sporterized' Krag that someone didn't mess up too badly. The plate on the butt is oversized but the woodwork was done fairly well. Barrel wasn't cut down and still had the front sight on it. Bore is still sharp and no pitting that I could see. It had been d&t's for a side mount though.
He tells me he's been trying to 'give it away' and no one was interested so he was going to raise the price. We talked a bit more and I went on my way. His parting comment was that he'd sell it to me at the 'reduced' price.
I stopped down the aisle to check out the funds availability. Then wandered around some more.
A couple of hours later I went back. It was still there and I figured I'd throw a low number at him and see if he'd bite. He did. I got it for $150 OTD.
It's nothing fancy. But, it should prove to be a fun gun to muck around with at the range and maybe even take out hunting a time or three.

<== 'High' quality butt plate







Find a peep sight and a pad that will fit and bring this old one back to life.

I sold mine thinking it was the ugliest rifle ever, but it always shot well and was a great kid starter deer gun.

I have an M1898 cutdown that is very similar to a DCM Krag. (1899 carbine stock, 21" barrel, '03 front sight) It wears a S&K Instamount with a 2-7 Leupold. It always puts the first 2 shots within an inch of each other and right at the point of aim. Third shot walks a little, but the gun is over 100 years old.

Yes, I've hunted deer with it, but never got a shot while I was carrying it.

Great find for the money. I'd of sure paid that or a little more.
I've got a couple of old semi "sporterized" Mausers, a 95 Chilean and 96 Swede. The more I look at and shoot old rifles like that or like the Krag you found the more I appreciate the quality, workmanship and knowledge of the gun makers of that time.

It's good to ring the 300 yard gong with one and have someone take a look at the rifle and say, damn, this things over a 100 years old.

For $150. OTD it would have left that show with me for sure. I've never owned a Krag but I've always loved how smooth those actions work. Looks as though you got a great deal on that one. Seems I'm never in the right place at the right time when stuff like that pops up.

Dang! Congratulations on the find!

About 20 years ago, I found a Un-molested all original Krag Carbine in a local pawn shop for $275. Bought it for Dad and gave it too him for his birthday.
Still wishing I had kept it for my self!

Wow man great deal on a very cool rifle there!!

You notice that it's been D&T'd for scope mounts. The one I had before had a Lyman All-American and I never really liked the scoped situation.
I wonder if any of the peep sight makers have one that would fit in the rear scope holes?
Time to measure and start asking.

A great piece of history right there.