1903 rebuild

[Col. Colt]

Be careful - stripping wood pretty much destroys originality and "character" the way many people see it. You might try an old "Night Shot" video camera to see if any of the markings are visible - infared light I think shows up faint markings in wood (read this somewhere).

You have the makings of a GREAT project - and a rifle that can be placed in it's home in the historical world, long ago. And who knows what else it has seen! I think it will be worthy of whatever effort you put into it.

Before changing ANYTHING, just because a book says it is not "correct" do your research - and keep all the parts - future knowledge may show it was original despite "conventional wisdom"! CC