Hi Everybody! This has been a great site to learn about these wonderful rifles. I recently bought an 1899 carbine at auction. Please check out the pictures and let me know how I did. From what I can tell, the stock, sights, and barrel seem correct. Unfortunately, the stock was refinished at some point in time. Also, a previous owner swapped out the original front site blade to something that looks modern and commercial. Lucky for me I found what looks like an original front site blade in a small bag in the cleaning kit compartment. There is no cartouche visible. However, there is a "U" behind the trigger guard. Does anyone know what that is? Thanks in advance for any feedback!

Looks pretty nice to me.  That sight blade might have been replaced with a commercial beaded blade to make it better for hunting, and they wisely saved the original and placed it in the stock for safe keeping.  Have you shot it yet?

I have. It shoots great! Although the front site blade is almost too big for the front site hood. From my research I think it may be a Lyman site? Does anyone have any idea what the "U" marking means behind the trigger guard?