Glad to be the proud new owner of an Model 1896 rifle serial number 511XX. By researching books and websites it was made in late 1896. The stock is beautiful and has a nice inspection cartouche but it appears to have a 1898 date on it. Did someone do a swap out or was it perhaps replaced after initial build? Or by chance could it be original? I would like to find out what whatever the case but I still love the gun. Thanks for any information you could offer. Also can anyone tell me what unit the gun was originally issued to?