I picked up a new to me Springfield M1898 rifle. According to the serial, it was an Infantry rifle made in 1900. It might have been pulled out of storage for WWI but it's doubtful it ever saw any real service at all before being sold by the NRA in the 20's as surplus. Then, like most cheap surplus rifles, it got the long barrel trimmed to carbine length and the stock was shortened and the top hand guard went missing. There is a period front sight on it but a much more recent rear sight - my guess is an incident while out hunting damaged whatever was there before and the most recent owner before me had that one installed.
(crappy phone photo.)
The wood diamond shaped inlays are kind of cool.
Yes, it would be nice if it hadn't been molested all those years ago but I could do the layaway thing for 3 months on $300, but the prices of intact ones are much higher than that.
Now the real problem is the cost of ammo. Or the cost of brass and dies (anyone got a spare set?). Can't find any ammo around here and online it's ~$40 a box
New To Me from 1900
1Live like you will never die, love like you've never been hurt, dance
like no-one is watching.
Alex White
like no-one is watching.
Alex White