The barrel is not a standard service rifle barrel. Springfield released a quantity of 1942-dated barrels in-the-white with no sight bases installed. The purpose for the barrels has not been found. They show up occasionally. Your description indicates that Bubba acquired one of these barrels, installed sight bases on it, enhanced the muzzle crown, fitted it to a rifle, and is now trolling for a sucker.
Please send me a link to the rifle that this barrel appears in.
Thanks!
J.B.