December 6-8, 2023 Firearms & Militaria
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 12/8/2023
Standard polished blue 30" barrel chambered in .30-40 with blade front sight and M1901 adjustable rear sight. Dark oil quenched action stamped "U.S. / Model 1898. Springfield Armory". Bolt handle correctly remains in-the-white with brilliant nitre blue ejector and case hardened safety. The 2-piece oil finished straight grain walnut stock features a crisp boxed script "JSA / 1903" cartouche on the left flat, as well as an encircled script "P" firing proof on the wrist. Brightly blued hardware, including a pair of barrel bands, trigger guard, and butt plate with case hardened tool trap. 3-piece cleaning rod and oiler are retained in the tool compartment. Brass muzzle cover and a Chicago Belting Company leather sling are also included. CONDITION: Excellent. Nearly all of the lustrous original rust blue is retained on the barrel and bands with only light high edge silvering and a few minor handling marks. A small area of finish loss present on the trigger guard where it contacted the sling. Butt plate likewise retains the majority of its brilliant blue with some thinning especially along the edges. Receiver retains nearly all of its smoky black oil quench finish. Bolt handle remains bright with approximately 95% nitre blue displayed on the extractor and strong case colors on the safety. Stock is very fine, some light impressions present along with a minor chip at the toe. Markings are especially crisp and legible. Excellent bore. Mechanically fine. Sling is supple and sturdy with some verdigris present around the brass mounts. A truly exceptional example of a M1898 Krag, the finest the cataloger seen in recent memory.