I snoop what he views and ask questions and he has been researching the "perfect" one for him for over 2 - 3 years now and he has not bought one so I know he has done his homework. From what I read it is an awesome tool. These are supposed to be amazing in accuracy at maybe 300 yards, may as well have a scope so lined up. He just drools over this one and it is not over kill for hunting otherwise I would say no. And for someone who is not a sharp shooter it may fair well I would think. I started hunting at 5. He is a virgin. He has a passion for well made old guns. He just never could make up his mind. He loves the oldies but goodies. Nothing new can out weigh the older guns that have good old fashioned workmanship. I guess you could call it a collector in use. The one I am looking at have the tag numbers still included and I can actually afford it.

And I think for fathers day / birthday it would be really nice to take him out for his first hunt.

The stock is not separate, they are fully intact and go through rigorous inspection.

Hee hee, our anniversary is at the same time too, maybe I should throw in a few rounds and cover all my bases!

You have to understand this is they style of gifting we do. I have received multi tools, field dressing kits, knives, and the like in lieu of flowers and the like for mothers day and such. OK, bit red neck here. To him I am the perfect woman LOL.

I think I am choosing Walnut as it shows less wear. It will be a service gun, but you pay extra for the tag numbers and condition. Daddy/birthday/anniversary... Get him the best of what he likes. And I think it would thrill me to teach hubby to hunt, I would be so proud of his first and teach him to dress.

I did tell him no way to the guns with a bayonet. No point. At least no point owning.

BTW, off topic I found a few years ago a bayonet in the woods. It has straps like you tie on to your leg army green. If I could post a photo could some one tell me where it comes from or what it belongs to? I just thought it was neat in the middle of nowhere and kept it. Looks like a long knife but it is obviously dual purpose. I do not think it is too old.

Thanks for the advice! Much appreciated. Just want to make it perfect as it will be at 39 his first rifle.