Any info on this 30-40 Craig?

[SquidHC]

Looking at picking up a hand full of guns from an old timer down the road. He said this was his grandfathers gun from "the war", whatever that means. Anyway, nostalgia aside does anyone have any info on this specific rifle? Possibly the production year and value range? Any other cool details would be great.

 

[USMC mustang]

Re: Any info on this 30-40 Craig?

The only "war" the Krag would have seen service in would have been the Spanish-American War, the Philippines, or in China. That Weaver 330 was made long after the Krag was withdrawn from service. Not saying that your neighbor's grandad didn't carry it somewhere overseas, but it didn't look like that if he did. The stock work and scope would have been added later.

This rifle has been sporterized as is very common with Krags, you could pick these things up for a few dollars in surplus stores years ago so they became quite popular as a blank slate with which someone could create a deer rifle on a budget

A sporterized Krag can make a fine shooter but there isn't much collectors value, as a shooter I would say the rifle is worth around $250-300 assuming everything functions. I've seen Weaver 330s go for anywhere from $75-$450 dollars depending on condition and markings. The 330C was used on 1903A4s so there is a market for them from people building reproduction A4s. With the obstruction of the left side of the receiver it's hard to see the actual model number or serial number so until that comes off you won't be able to get a date of manufacture. They only made Krags from 1894-1903.

 

[SquidHC]

Re: Any info on this 30-40 Craig?

Thank you for such a thorough and informative answer.

 

[sirhrmechanic]

Re: Any info on this 30-40 Craig?

Mustang is right on.

I remember when the Krag's were $50 rifles. That was in the '80s. Perfect military examples could actually be had for less than the sporters... noone wanted them.

Now, un-messed-with rifles can be quite valuable.

They were very innovative for their rapid 'side door' loading system. Big improvement over the Trapdoor rifles that they basically replaced, but nowhere near as good as the European Mauser-actions.

Quick loading was supposed to be its advantage. You just opened the door and dumped in a handful of cartridges and off you go.

Krag's were used in Cuba/Spanish American war and, as Mustang said, in China and Phillippines. But they were quickly replaced by the 1903 which initially used the .30-03 cartridge. This was quickly replaced by the far-superior .30-06 cartridge.

For years, they were available through DCM. Right into the '50's from what I remember. There used to be ads for them in the old, old American Rifleman magazines I used to love as a kid.

Cool gun and typical of what someone would likely have done to build a cheap deer rifle years ago. Actually, the work is executed better than a lot out there. From your pix, the builder did a reasonably good checkering job! And neat scope!

Cheers,

Sirhr

 

[Greg Langelius *]

Re: Any info on this 30-40 Craig?

Krag-Jørgensen 1892 Rifle history.

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:</div><div class="ubbcode-body"> In U.S. service, the Krag eventually proved uncompetitive with Mauser-derived designs, most notably in combat operations in Cuba and the Philippines during the Spanish-American War. It served as the U.S. military's primary rifle for only nine years, when it was replaced by the M1903 Springfield rifle in 1903.</div></div>

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:</div><div class="ubbcode-body"> A few prototype Model 1898 Sniper Rifles were assembled with Cataract telescopic sights for limited testing. In 1901, 100 Model 1898 rifles, and 100 Model 1899 carbines were fitted with a Parkhurst Clip Loading Attachment to test use of Mauser-type stripper clips. The so-called NRA Carbines were rifles cut down to carbine length for sale to members of the National Rifle Association beginning in 1926 as a means of keeping skilled armory workmen employed at Benicia Arsena</div></div>

In terms of action strength and ability to handle higher chamber pressures, the Krag rates on the lower side. Handloaders should read up on the cartridge before attempting independent load development.

Greg

 

[Dick D]

Re: Any info on this 30-40 Craig?

All the above is correct. The U.S. Army first adopted this Krag rifle in 1902 and the caliber was called the .30 Army. They eventually used three models, the 1892, the 1896 and the 1898.
The .30 Army cartridge ( 30-40 Krag) was a bit anemic with a 220 gr bullet at about 2000 fps, and the rifle was replaced with the 1903 Springfield in 30-03 and later 30-06 calibers.
Fun old rifles to shoot, low recoil, and I've killed a few deer with mine over the last 20 years. Getting the bolt out of the action to clean the rifle from the breech is a learned skill and I would suggest you take it to a knowledgeable gunsmith to learn how to do this.

 

[USMC mustang]

Re: Any info on this 30-40 Craig?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Sirhrmechanic</div><div class="ubbcode-body">

Now, un-messed-with rifles can be quite valuable.

</div></div>

They are valuable, i.e. expensive, because now I want to buy one!

 

[sirhrmechanic]

Re: Any info on this 30-40 Craig?

Just for the heck of it, I went out to GB to see what these things were selling for. Holy %$#@!!!!

When I said they were quite valuable, I was thinking they were getting $500 - 600. vs. the $50-100 that I remember.

These things are showing rusty junk at $700 - 800 and interesting variants in the thousands???

Amazing... And to think how many of these I could have bought for peanuts...

Cheers,

Sirhr

 

[Dick D]

Re: Any info on this 30-40 Craig?

Oops, the Army adopted the Krag in 1892, not 1902. I know, proof read before you hit submit. I did know this but am supprised no one caught my typing error.

 

[tofst4u2no]

Re: Any info on this 30-40 Craig?

The Krags are awesome guns and that one looks to be one of the better sporterized ones I've seen. I cant tell from your pics but has the barrel been cut down on it? Krags can be great shooters and the actions are one of the smoothest that you'll find on a bolt rifle from any time period. It does appear that the one you pictured is missing the selector lever that determines if the rifle feeds from the magazine or is a single shot. The safety also appears to have been modified. Here's a few pics of my Krag for reference

 

[USMC mustang]

Re: Any info on this 30-40 Craig?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: tofst4u2no</div><div class="ubbcode-body">The Krags are awesome guns and that one looks to be one of the better sporterized ones I've seen. I cant tell from your pics but has the barrel been cut down on it? Krags can be great shooters and the actions are one of the smoothest that you'll find on a bolt rifle from any time period. It does appear that the one you pictured is missing the selector lever that determines if the rifle feeds from the magazine or is a single shot. The safety also appears to have been modified. Here's a few pics of my Krag for reference

</div></div>

That's a nice rifle. Do you reload for it? If so what powder have you had success with and how does it shoot?

 

[tofst4u2no]

Re: Any info on this 30-40 Craig?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: USMC mustang</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Do you reload for it? If so what powder have you had success with and how does it shoot? </div></div>

I dont reload for it yet. A reloading setup is next on my list of things to get into. I have had good success with rounds I've purchased from www.wisconsincartridge.com I can typically hold ~2moa with them @ 100yards I think it could definitely do better with reloads and more practice on my part.

 

[303_enfield]

Re: Any info on this 30-40 Craig?

Rifle has been drilled and tapped. No collector value, $200 deer rifle tops. But the scope could be worth more then the rifle.

 

[BravoSector1]

Re: Any info on this 30-40 Craig?

Yup, if that's an original 330c, it could pull double the weapon value.

 

[pooch]

Re: Any info on this 30-40 Craig?

I learned how to shoot with a Krag my dad bought in the late 50's early 60's. It also had a scope on it but I don't remember who put it on. It was a Weaver??

 

[USMC mustang]

Re: Any info on this 30-40 Craig?

Squid, did you end up buying this Krag?