Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Savage Collectors Cartridge counter problem possibly

I have been looking at a pretty decent EG in 300 made in 1954 at a local gun shop. All original, no cracks, etc.
My only concern is, the cartridge counter(not brass),
Is slid forward to where you can only see half of the number.
Is thus of great concern, potential problems? Haven't tried to load it to see what happens and not sure if they will let me.
Thanks for any thoughts.

use your finger to turn the mag rotor.

The rotor could be made of steel. They do show up in guns in the early '50s.

The spindle head screw may not be engaged with the groove in the spindle head. It can be difficult to align when replacing the rotor assembly.

If it's in a gun shop I would challenge them to check it out and get the alignment right. It might be simple or it might not. Put the burden on them to figure it out.