RCK
02-05-2017, 05:09
I was in Tropp's Gun Shop in Elizabethtown, Pa., and one of the many shop "experts" was trying to replace the bolt in a Model 1896 rifle. The owner, a Marine from the Vietnam era, had taken it out to clean the bore and couldn't get it back in, so he went to the gun shop.
I watched from a few yards and thought it was an 03 then walked closer and watched the fun. I asked if I could take a look. The bolt was in the fired position and that was how the clerk was trying to put it in. I showed them how to cock the bolt and put it in the rifle.
The owner asked the clerk if he owed him anything and he said no and quickly walked away. He then asked me what he owed me anything. I said no and he followed me and we discussed the rifle a bit more and some of his service experiences. Interesting!
I watched from a few yards and thought it was an 03 then walked closer and watched the fun. I asked if I could take a look. The bolt was in the fired position and that was how the clerk was trying to put it in. I showed them how to cock the bolt and put it in the rifle.
The owner asked the clerk if he owed him anything and he said no and quickly walked away. He then asked me what he owed me anything. I said no and he followed me and we discussed the rifle a bit more and some of his service experiences. Interesting!