Wow 98SRC, close as in one digit off. Could you explain what the abbreviations from the CD mean? I believe, and this is why I bought the gun, that it is an original 1898 carbine that was period upgraded to an 1899 and thus the later stock and sight. I believe the stock has no cartouche because it was done in the field or at a post and not at the factory where it would have had a later cartouche or over stamp perhaps. The gun is original I believe to 1899 because all the wood and metal surfaces appear to be equal in ware and age. The barrel has the P firing proof as well on the under side. You would think that this gun went to the same location as the number you found in the SRS records. My understanding is that 1898 carbines numbered only about 5,000 and a great many were used and upgraded. Would anyone have an idea about the letters on the butt plate? Don't know if they have any corrolation to the SRS records since I need help understanding what they stand for. Thanks, David