Un-quality resortation-Before foto

I can only see one image but it looks like an early Winchester bull-nose handguard to me.

Rear sight itself?

both were changed, the issue I am raising is something most all carbines share, its a issue I almost missed and is one some will argue against-it still has a issue that is most likely incorrect and can be a dead giveaway, my pics honestly probably don't show it as well as they could but its something someone passing a "original" off on you will not disclose-its not a touch up, or redo of anything-is potentially more blatant and some would say maybe not--come on guys, we are shooting ducks in a barrel-it has nothing to do with stake marks, sanding, touch up, incorrect markings, or non original parts. I think I gave a earlier hint to it in original posting.

Well, without seeing the After foto, it's going to be awfully difficult for even experienced collectors to identify that dead giveaway you left, isn't it?

Maybe I didn't understand the original premise that all the metal parts had their original finish. Are you talking about all the metal parts haviing the same color and texture of park finish, which likely is not original?

1/2 a point on handguard, is a unmarked bullnose but its still not the issue. I did not explain as well as I could have done. The barrel band and front sight came from a new barrel assembly, the stock came from ebay (it was ok!!!!) The bolt, slide, and internal trigger house parts came with it, The trigger house it came with showed wear below where stock is so I swapped that with another, It is not a issue with the stock, HG, barrel, rear sight or receiver or the trigger sssembly or anything that makes it go bang.

Is it the finish on the stock? It looks kind of shiny like a varnish or shellac.

good eye on the varnish or whatever it is, it has something on it---not the bonus question though, bonus question is the front sight post, some will argu maybe OK but its never been filed, all original qhmc guns I have seen have had the front sight post filed or ground on-note how sharp a point it has and how it just shows some wear marks-front sights off of NOS barrel assemblys are not filed-they will typically be filed and have black finish on top of post

Hiding in plain sight is right!!!

From the single picture you posted (unquality RIA.jpg), I never would have guessed. My eyes aren't that good anymore to see the sharpness of the front sight post in that photo, even with bifocals!