Before, During & After pics

[GUTS]

I think you did an outstanding job!

[Kirk]

For some strange reason I also see the painted parade or ceremony rifle as being another collectable version also. More than likely a VFW post or maybe a high school rifle at one time but is there a chance it may have been a genuine Army base ceremony rifle? I believe CMP has a few left.

Bill:

This one came from the CMP and was the one in best overall condition there that day; there were perhaps 6-8 M1898s with painted stocks & metal and another 6-8 unpainted rifles. I reckon you are correct that a VFW or other veteran's group painted the rifle. From the quality of the paint job & evidence of the care or lack of care the rifles had, I doubt the Army did the work. One stock was cracked and screwed back together with wood screws; swivels were glued to the wood with paint; other rifles had chips missing from hand guards & stocks. Bores were clogged with debris from blank cartridges, etc. The safety on the rifle I bought had the safety replaced with a commercial Buheler safety.