I would have never started this thread or even tried to contact the seller if the only problems would have been just the reblue, and the hillbilly fit forend, I would have just realized I needed to take a hard look at what was wrote and shown in the pics and seen that it wasn't right.
My main gripe is this is suppose to be a 38-55 ! The difference between a factory 38-55 and one of the more common calibers is huge as far as value goes. The barrel on this rifle is not marked as to what caliber it is, the bore at the muzzle end is so worn that I dropped a .378 dia. bullet in to the muzzle and it fell in about 2 inches before it stopped ! looking down the bore with a bright light looks like a dirty black sewer pipe. That is what they described as fine.
I paid a price that is about on par with a M 1899 A in 38-55 with a cracked buttstock and a few small issues, but what I got is a rifle of unknown caliber, terrible bore, with zero collector or shooter value.
It is not worth even half of what I paid and I feel like I got the shaft an you know where.
As I have mentioned before even if I am allowed to return it I am out the shipping both ways, the FFL fee ($80- $90 ) and a lot of PITA. Gartman s only out there sellers fee and the time and effort to list and ship the gun, A small price to pay for learning a lesson in online gun sales ethics.
Jedman