[canemminor]

I have a CMP MK1 that has come home from Greece. It is a fine shooter with the original Nov 1919 barrel. It sure is ugly though. The stock looks as though it was shaped with a forming chisel and not sanded much; I have been told that right after WW1, Springfield let their Q.C. fall off sharply for a period. Anyways, I am soliciting opinions on wheather I can pretty it up or should I leave it? It has a hatcher hole so it was rebuilt at least once. It also has Rem. bolt guts although the bolt itself is right for the rifle. I was thinking of putting a CMP S stock on it and having it reparked in gray zinc to bring it back to the condition of it last WW2 (?) rebuild.
Opinions please?

 

[Alkali]

Post a few good photos. You'll get all the opinions you can use.

 

[Alkali]

Thought about it and my previous post might have sounded abrupt. However, ugly is an opinion and a subjective one at that. With some good photos, we can probably give you better advice on an "upgrade" on stock, parts, finish, etc. With the rifle making a round trip to Greece, some things might be better left alone. For one, I find the almost black parkerizing found on these originally far more attractive (even if worn) than the last light gray they were given during or after WWII. It also sounds like the stock may not be the original. Springfield relaxed standards very little, if ever, and replaced parts will only show slight cosmetic changes over time. Regards.

 

[herringbone]

I was thinking of putting a CMP S stock on it and having it reparked in gray zinc to bring it back to the condition of it last WW2 (?) rebuild.

While it may look "ugly" it has unique character. If everything is functional there is no need to replace a thing. As Alkali stated, the original finish is more appealing. Reparking it is ill-advised and generally frowned upon by other collectors.. you will butcher the value if you do so, and alter a peice of history after its been out of govt hands. Just an opinion though... but pictures would be nice!