Introduction and a bit of history

[maj75]

Just out of curiosity did you remove the hand guard and check for a star gauge number? I've seen late SA barrels with the goofy crown like that before and I know it's a late date for star gauging, but I'm curious about this one.

I'm going to take it apart next week and see what trigger and other assemblies are hiding under the stock. I will update with any additional markings I find.

[maj75]

Since this is a parts gun, and the stock is a later C stock, any harm in trying to sand off the checked areas of the stock? I realize this will thin the fore end of the stock, but the first C stocks were thinner than the WWII versions IIRC. The checking is not the best, so I would rather get rid of it. The rifle would look better without it IMHO.

[Griff Murphey]

Yes to Pete's comments. I saw many guns like this as a high school kid getting into big bore in the mid 60's. People just wanted to shoot better with what they had. Lyman even made a globe peep front sight for the M-1.

[Kurt]

The Keystone stocks are indeed fat and you do have room to thin them up to an SA C stock profile. Where you will need to take a close look at is the area behind the lower band. If you have enough there to take out the checkering without making the band prouder you can probably do it. I expect you'll have to thin up the hand guard as well. The wrist area shouldn't be a problem. Notice the stock cross bolts and how much they are recessed, you will have to thin the stock the full length, not just where the checkering is. Again, plenty of room to thin there.

Good luck and nice looking gun.

Kurt