Krag recoil pad

Walt NW · 11-04-2005, 04:02 PM

Question on an 1896 Krag Springfield I've had for quite a few years. Has a standard sling dated 1917 and bayonet dated 1901, but is also fitted with a recoil pad that appears to be military issue. Have never seen another Krag at a gun show or advertised with a recoil pad. Any body know if the Army did issue recoil pads with these things or can I assume that this was an add on by a previous owner. Appreciate any info.

Ron Smith · 11-05-2005, 12:27 PM

Hi Walt, It sounds like someone added the recoil pad. The military never used recoil pads. And if it's rubber, it would have long since crumbled. Has the stock been cut off to attach the pad?

Ron

Walt NW · 11-05-2005, 01:22 PM

Hi Ron,
Everything is pure military as issued. No stock cut off. The recoil pad fits over the back portion of the stock and is tied on by lacings at the bottom, the pad itself enclosed within the leather at the rear with the attachment piece extending about 4 inches up the stock. Has had heavy wear and appears to have been on the piece for many years. Will try to get a picture out in the next day or so.
Thanks much.

Ron Smith · 11-05-2005, 03:06 PM

Walt,

So it's a lace on leather sleeve type pad? I still believe it put on by a previous owner. If it is military it should be marked in some way indicating military issue or contract.

Ron

Walt NW · 11-06-2005, 12:37 AM

Ron,
Two pictures hopefully follow, unfortunately each as an individual message as I can't get the things to go along with the text. First one will be a shot of the recoil pad and stock. Second will be a picture of a silver oblong metallic piece very neatly recessed into the left side of the stock below the rear of the receiver. Have never seen this on another Krag and have no idea what it may indicate. Any thoughts you may have on the subject would be greatly appreciated.

Walt NW · 11-06-2005, 12:39 AM

recoil pad.

Walt NW · 11-06-2005, 12:41 AM

Silver insert.

Ron Smith · 11-06-2005, 09:58 AM

Walt,

The pad is a commercially sold pad that was available at about any sporting goods outlet.

Back in the 50s as the Army began issueing the M-14. National Guard armories were allocated the surplus M-1s. They in turn began selling off the weapons in their inventories. These consisted of stores of Krags, 1903s and 1917s. A friend of mine who is from Minnisota told me that an armory in his home town even had Trapdoor carbines that they sold.

My best friends dad bought three 1903s complete with bayonets for $10 each. He gave us one to play Army with and we ended up beating that nice old Springfield to death, just being stupid kids.

My Uncle bought a Krag for $7.50. And used it for a pick-up gun.

Alot of these were used as is, without any alteration, as hunting rifles. Thus the addition of the recoil pad.

I don't have a clue about the plate. Maybe someone was going to give it as a prestentation piece. It looks somewhat like the base plate for a saddle ring from a carbine with the rail removed, but is in the wrong location. Or some good ol' boy's idea of "Purtyin' up" his gun. judging from the old laquer built up on the wood. Someone tried to dress it up at some point.

Ron

Walt NW · 11-06-2005, 11:24 AM

Ron,
Appreciate all the info......Thanks much.

Ron Smith · 11-06-2005, 11:55 AM

Walt,

You're entirely welcome. I love these old rifles. as well as the 1903 Spfd.

Have had several over the years. Both sporterized and original. The 30-40 Krag cartridge is an outstanding hunting cartridge. It will drop an Elk in it's tracks with the right load and 190-200 gr. bullet. The trick is the heavy bullet.

11-04-2005, 04:02 PM	#1
Walt NW User Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: New Caney, Texas Posts: 90 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Krag recoil pad Question on an 1896 Krag Springfield I've had for quite a few years. Has a standard sling dated 1917 and bayonet dated 1901, but is also fitted with a recoil pad that appears to be military issue. Have never seen another Krag at a gun show or advertised with a recoil pad. Any body know if the Army did issue recoil pads with these things or can I assume that this was an add on by a previous owner. Appreciate any info.

11-05-2005, 12:27 PM	#2
Ron Smith User Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Orygun Posts: 4,243 Thanks: 118 Thanked 245 Times in 150 Posts	Hi Walt, It sounds like someone added the recoil pad. The military never used recoil pads. And if it's rubber, it would have long since crumbled. Has the stock been cut off to attach the pad? Ron __________________ I Still Need DWM side plate #49... if anyone runs across a nice one. What ~Rudyard Kipling~ said...

11-05-2005, 03:06 PM	#4
Ron Smith User Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Orygun Posts: 4,243 Thanks: 118 Thanked 245 Times in 150 Posts	Walt, So it's a lace on leather sleeve type pad? I still believe it put on by a previous owner. If it is military it should be marked in some way indicating military issue or contract. Ron __________________ I Still Need DWM side plate #49... if anyone runs across a nice one. What ~Rudyard Kipling~ said...

11-06-2005, 12:39 AM	#6
Walt NW User Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: New Caney, Texas Posts: 90 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	recoil pad. Attached Thumbnails

11-06-2005, 12:41 AM	#7
Walt NW User Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: New Caney, Texas Posts: 90 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Silver insert. Attached Thumbnails

11-05-2005, 01:22 PM	#3
Walt NW User Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: New Caney, Texas Posts: 90 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Hi Ron, Everything is pure military as issued. No stock cut off. The recoil pad fits over the back portion of the stock and is tied on by lacings at the bottom, the pad itself enclosed within the leather at the rear with the attachment piece extending about 4 inches up the stock. Has had heavy wear and appears to have been on the piece for many years. Will try to get a picture out in the next day or so. Thanks much.

11-06-2005, 12:37 AM	#5
Walt NW User Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: New Caney, Texas Posts: 90 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Ron, Two pictures hopefully follow, unfortunately each as an individual message as I can't get the things to go along with the text. First one will be a shot of the recoil pad and stock. Second will be a picture of a silver oblong metallic piece very neatly recessed into the left side of the stock below the rear of the receiver. Have never seen this on another Krag and have no idea what it may indicate. Any thoughts you may have on the subject would be greatly appreciated.

11-06-2005, 09:58 AM	#8
Ron Smith User Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Orygun Posts: 4,243 Thanks: 118 Thanked 245 Times in 150 Posts	Walt, The pad is a commercially sold pad that was available at about any sporting goods outlet. Back in the 50s as the Army began issueing the M-14. National Guard armories were allocated the surplus M-1s. They in turn began selling off the weapons in their inventories. These consisted of stores of Krags, 1903s and 1917s. A friend of mine who is from Minnisota told me that an armory in his home town even had Trapdoor carbines that they sold. My best friends dad bought three 1903s complete with bayonets for $10 each. He gave us one to play Army with and we ended up beating that nice old Springfield to death, just being stupid kids. My Uncle bought a Krag for $7.50. And used it for a pick-up gun. Alot of these were used as is, without any alteration, as hunting rifles. Thus the addition of the recoil pad. I don't have a clue about the plate. Maybe someone was going to give it as a prestentation piece. It looks somewhat like the base plate for a saddle ring from a carbine with the rail removed, but is in the wrong location. Or some good ol' boy's idea of "Purtyin' up" his gun. judging from the old laquer built up on the wood. Someone tried to dress it up at some point. Ron __________________ I Still Need DWM side plate #49... if anyone runs across a nice one. What ~Rudyard Kipling~ said...

11-06-2005, 11:24 AM	#9
Walt NW User Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: New Caney, Texas Posts: 90 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Ron, Appreciate all the info......Thanks much.

11-06-2005, 11:55 AM	#10
Ron Smith User Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Orygun Posts: 4,243 Thanks: 118 Thanked 245 Times in 150 Posts	Walt, You're entirely welcome. I love these old rifles. as well as the 1903 Spfd. Have had several over the years. Both sporterized and original. The 30-40 Krag cartridge is an outstanding hunting cartridge. It will drop an Elk in it's tracks with the right load and 190-200 gr. bullet. The trick is the heavy bullet. __________________ I Still Need DWM side plate #49... if anyone runs across a nice one. What ~Rudyard Kipling~ said...