I believe there is another point here about the M1898 carbines. Of the 5000 or so original M1898 carbines, how many remained in their original configuration? Not many, I believe, because of the rebuilding that went on over the years. Yes, you can find the stock (if you look hard enough; I know where one is), and yes you can find the sight (generally one or two for sale every couple of months on Gunbroker or ebay), but then you have a parts gun (assuming you have a barreled receiver that is legitimate as well as the sling ring and bar and not a reproduction). I would rather have a correct rebuilt M1898 (which I do) than a parts gun. Of course, I would take a verified original over both, but then I would have to take a vow of poverty after acquiring it.
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