Actually, she knows that old 1895 Mauser rifle fairly well - first one I ever owned. Bought it in 1962 for $13 or so from Sears catalog - full military wood/length/etc. - and, as a pure novice, set about doing what they called "sporterizing" at that time. She watched (we only had one daughter then). What a raw adventure that was.
Hacksawed the barrel to the "best" length; somehow crowned the end; borrowed blocks and a torch and bent/reshaped the bolt; borrowed a jig and drilled/tapped for scope; had to buy and install a "low swing" safety; did my best to smooth the mil double hump trigger; cut down and finished the stock; installed a $5 Japanese scope; bought some Win 175 grain factory ammo; went out in October and shot a desert mule deer - my first hunt.
Here it still sits, with a better scope - but nothing else changed. All downhill from there.
