1916; 1903.
This one has a whale of a tale to tell you lads...
So, then, I get called to an estate sale to look at some old *Army guns* for a friend. The estate (not deceased but winding down) is a fella and his sister from California. When I first see this Springfield, I would have bet it was in a Ram-Line stock but also would have bet it was some poncy *parade rifle*. probably de-watted at that.
Oh no!
This fella had bought an old DCM gun back when he was young to keep on his boat. You know, for sharks and pirates and such.
No kidding, their words.
Eventually, he takes it to an old-school plater in *L.A* to fight salt to fight pirates... and such.
Then, he decides that the wood might also be harmed hanging over the gunwales popping sharks, boarders... whatever. So, off it goes to get this, no doubt currently felonious, black-plasti-shield laid over all the wood.
Here's the beauty of things, he had the test data from an armorer for critical dimension both before and after the nickel was applied to ensure that tolerances wouldn't be queered. Also, had the receiver magni-fluxed due to the ghosty-tales of spontaneously failing low-numbered receivers. I know....
I KNOW! Please save it.
I just wish he had tracked down period correct floor-plate and sling swivels for it.
Anyhow - I get this goofy thing and when I get home, the paperwork including a slip long-lease receipt are in the buttstock.
SCORE!
To make things even better, try as I might, I could not get that damn plasticization to let-go the wood. I absolutely didn't want to sand it. Here's where my wife steps in.
She does lots of antique and furniture restoration and when I ask her what she'd use, she just grabs the stock and says to let her "... see what she can do." for it.
Damn if but 2 hours later she doesn't return two of the most magnificent pieces of walnut that I've
EVER had on a G.I. gun!
Initially, I had thought to pass this one on to one of the museums I deal with or sell it outright at the Vegas show but then, as it's sitting in a rack on my table, one of my very best buddies rolls by asking me about it. I spin the yarn and he says to definitely NOT sell it until he gets back from his table.
On his return he hands me this bayonet, grabs it back and slips it on my rifle.
Says he: "How 'bout now?"
Says I: "Well,
that's not for sale anymore!" I figure I'll cut down some vintage scrap walnut stock and make handles for it one day... maybe hickory?
Then I gets to thinkin': Man, I wish I was still in contact with that old fella that I got the guns from. How in
the world, did he not have a bayonet too? You know, for stickin' sharks, and pirates and such?
How's it shoot you ask? Like a dream. An Arizona, triple-polarized eye-wear frikken nearly blinding dream!
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Todd.
....
