Belgian 1889 Project

[Aragorn243]

I got lucky again, I think anyway. Went to the Cabelas in Delaware yesterday and was going through their surplus rack, they actually have one. The reason they have one is their prices are simply ridiculous and have been since they opened. I'm not really looking at the rifles, just flipping the price tags which are ranging from $599 for a type 38 that's been there since they opened, to $499 for a Mosin Nagant Finn capture with nothing done to it other than changing the front sight. Flipped the last tag and it was $99 so I grabbed it right up and took a close look at it. Belgian 1889 which I've been looking for for quite a while. It's rough, tag called it a project rifle but it's something I enjoy messing with and figured I wasn't going to beat the price. Bore has strong rifling but a coating of rust, not sure how bad but it looks serviceable at minimum. Bolt was bent back a little but not down. All parts with the exception of the cleaning rod appear to be there but the sight spring is broken. Butt plate is probably also beyond reasonable salvage but I'll make an attempt. Both the spring and butt plate are among the very few parts available from Numrich so I may place an order later after I verify it needs nothing else. It functions properly, and firing pin is in place. Biggest issue I see is the stock. It is in good condition with the exception of about 2 inches of the butt, top for the most part. It is dry rotted, some of it is missing. Not sure of proper repair for this, I guess it depends on how bad it is after I get the butt plate off. I'd like to remove minimal original wood but don't want a big hole there either. I'll probably start cleaning today but going to have to let the screws soak as they are locked at present. With a veterans discount it was $95 out the door.

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