Smith Corona 03A3 Possible Purchase Questions

[oldfoneguy]

Gentlemen,
I have an opportunity to purchase a reworked Smith Corona 03A3 that has some issues. I have a few questions that I'm hoping the endless depth of knowledge this site possesses can help me with.

Serial number is 4796xxx which I believe was assigned to January and February 1944 production and is roughly the 88,000th produced in '44.

Barrel is a SC dated 10-43 so obviously a rework, strong but frosty 4 groove rifling. Should clean up nicely with use and cleaning.

Both bands are parked as is the barrel, receiver and trigger guard and floorplate.

Bolt is a dark almost Russian looking blue but does have an X at the handle root.

Sadly the original straight grip stock has been sanded to death. As can be seen in the photo the buttplate hangs below the toe. Faintest of markings but they're mostly sanded away. The lucky charms and circle P are barely visible all else is gone.

Condition of all metal is excellent with no rust anywhere and a nice coat of oil everywhere.

Seemingly original wartime M1906 sling in fair but unusable condition.

The front sight seems funky and isn't sitting bottomed in its slot on the barrel, the middle band screw is cross threaded, doesn't move and is far from bottomed so the band has movement.

So obviously the stock needs to be replaced, probably the middle band if I can't work with it. The front sight mount is a question mark as well but all else seems fine.

Is it possible that this is an assembled parts rifle or a legitimate reworked SC?

What would those more knowledgeable than I expect to pay for a SC in this kind of condition. The standing offer for it is $500 is this realistic or overpriced for what it is?
Sorry but this is the only picture I have at this time. May be able to get more later today.

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