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Firearms >> U.S. Military Krags >> The old "ethics" issue, again
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Message started by Dick Hosmer on Nov 1st, 2019 at 2:34pm

Title: Re: The old "ethics" issue, again
Post by olderthansome on Nov 1st, 2019 at 5:41pm
If it was a Rough Rider carbine, would you change it?  I don't think I would feel right about "changing history".  We are, after all, just caretakers, not really owners.  If the changes are done by the Arsenal with routine maintenance and 'IRAN' then that's one thing - part of the history, not changing the history, but if the changes were by bubba or one of Alibabba's band of 40, changing it back to as original as possible is really a rescue mission. 

The problem is a long term one anyway.  If we leave them as found or as carefully 'rescued', there is no guarantee that the piece won't fall into unpleasant company when we are gone.  But I've made too many mistakes in my life already without piling on guilt for trying to deceive.  It really is a tough call. Putting it back is probably the best thing for this piece and its history, but it will not, in fact, be the same piece as it was when it made history…..unless it went to Benicia before it was upgraded (?)

Oh, what tangled webs we weave when first we practice to deceive.

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