Hey all -

I've a 1898 full length rifle that was given to me nearly a decade ago that is all original, and didn't want to mess with.  But I love the cartridge, the action, and the accuracy.

I set out searching for a base for a deer / elk carbine project and found a 100k serial 1898 that has had, lets say, a rough life.  Missing the handguard, replacement butt plate, cut down and refinished stock, broken rear sight ladder, missing front site post, missing side cover screw, and - surprisingly - metal in the white.

My end goal here is a carbine length with no tap scope mount (either side or rear sight replacement).

Opinions are welcome, but at the risk of ruining a piece of history by modifying, I wanted thoughts on if I've truly ruined anything by cutting this rifle down.  At bare minimum the finish/patina has been permanently ruined, the stock is beyond saving, and it needs a handful of metal bits.  All of that, to me, adds up to a rifle that needs a new life.

I believe my first plan of attack is to check out the bore/barrel condition.  Next would be the essential metal bits (it needs a cover plate screw, front sight blade that I'll make for testing, and a rear sling swivel/barrel band solution).  Test firing for accuracy at that point, cutting the barrel down next.  Adding the scope mount next, and then, if after all that I still have a shooter, I'm considering trying my hand at rust blue on the modified rifle.  Finally, refinishing the stock with simple tung or BLO.

Feel free to poke holes, offer insight or direction from experience.

---