Bob W. wrote on May 21^st, 2019 at 3:03pm:

Here are pics of the right front of the forestock and handguard. If there was a front sight, it was cut off when the barrel was shortened. Three quick questions: 1) So this probably started life as a rifle before being cut down? 2) Should I spend the time and money finding and replacing proper sights if it already is too short and has the wrong handguard? 3) Or should I continue the sporter process and make it into a shooter with new modern sights? I hate to continue the ruination of a classic, but I'd prefer for it to have a new home where it is appreciated. But I'm a 1911 fan and am not much into martial long arms. Thanks! 3)

1.  Most likely yes

2.  That's the great news.  The guy cut down the rifle to 20 inches (measured from a closed bolt face).  All you have to do is pay a good gunsmith to mount a repro front sight post to the barrel and remove the rear sight plug screws and you are half way to a put together near-carbine.  A lot of guys wish they had that handguard for their real carbines.  Rear rifle sights are fairly common because opportunist #$%^^%$# are always breaking down krags to sell the parts at a profit.

3.  Hell NO!  (but that is just one guy's opinion and I am unanimous in that)