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So I am continuing my quest of collecting WWI & WWII firearms and found a poorly sporterized 1903.

The good
* original 1918 receiver SN 808*** so about as early a receiver that I'd feel comfortable shooting.
* original 1-18 SA barrel with good rifling, not counter bored, and no throat erosion.
* paid $360 for rifle, 1 box of cmp ammo, and a soft case

The bad
* the stock was butchered, I mean BAD
* the finish is pretty rough on the barrel 1% bluing, the receiver is pretty good
* the rear sight collar had been destroyed
* receiver drilled for Redfield sight

I plan on refinishing the rifle and have already ordered a complete stock with original recoil pad. I am looking for a gunsmith who can remove the rear sight base collar, I could probably get it done in my shop but I'd rather not butcher it, although destroying the sight base isn't an issue since it's toast already.

The absolute WORST gun mistake I ever made was with a 1903 Springfield. I got an unissued 1903 A4 from the DCM back in the early '60's for <$20. It was a Remington that may not have ever been fired, had a turned down bolt handle and a Redfield scope base and no open sights. It was a sniper model. In my early 20's stupidity, I traded it even for a WWII '98 Mauser.

Too soon we grow old, too late we grow smart.

Man that hurts a bit.

I kind of took a gamble on this. I couldn't fully see the serial but thought it was 808xxx, luckily I was right. Didn't have a ton of pics but it didn't look awful.

The biggest thing I missed was the utter destruction the original rear sight collar went through. They removed the leaf sight, then ground down the collar flush.

Not sure if I am going to remove the Redfield peep sight and plug weld the holes in receiver or keep the sight as I kinda like it.