Question re Cogswell & Harrison

[boltaction]

That's why I haven't bought it yet! I have requested some more photos of the nosecap and stock mid section, and clarification of the numbers. The receiver and bolt do match, but I am not yet certain of the nosecap or the rearsight. I was told the stock matches but the photo sent did not include the number. I would have to see the nosecap before making a judgement, as I have seen re numbered caps before. As well, I have asked for a closeup of the rear top wood. It may be an optical illusion, but to me the bottom of that rear top wood looks quite worn compared to the pristine-ness of the rest of the stock.

My initial thought was that this was a sporterized rifle which had been restored, but then I was told the stock and nosecap matched, so that was why I wondered if C&H had contracted for barrels in WWI. Then the photos came in which do show the barrel to be original, but the stock looks really good and there's that oddness to the top wood. Just waiting for more photos before making a final decision. However, the fact that it seems the Cogswell stamp would have had to have been applied postwar is a significant strike against the rifle; why would a firm privately market a rifle post "the war to end all wars" and leave it in full mil configuration but put their company stamp somewhere where it would 't be seen? What makes the most sense is that this might have been sporterized, marked by C&H and marketed by them, then at some point refitted with new wood but the top wood was kept. Have to see. The price being asked is what one would expect to pay for a mint original WWI warhorse, not a rebuild. If this is a restored rifle, It would likely make a superb shooter and I certainly wouldn't turn my nose up at it, but not for the price.

Ed