The present paper describes an investigation aimed at evaluating the microstructural and dry sliding adhesive wear characteristics of Fe–xCr–4Mn–3C hardfacing alloys applied through shielded metal arc welding. The effect of chromium addition on the microstructure of hardfacings was carried out by using optical microscope, field emission scanning electron microscope and X-ray mapping. Dry sliding wear tests were performed on a pin-on-disc wear tribometer. From the experimental results, it was observed that the primary carbides were refined and increased with the increase of chromium content. The morphology of carbides revealed that the primary carbides were rod shaped. The increased chromium content was also found to be beneficial to enhance hardness and wear resistance of hardfacings. The correlation between hardness and wear resistance exhibited the reliability of hardness as an indicator of the wear performance of hardfacings. © 2016, The Indian Institute of Metals - IIM.