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That idea of being missing from a war monument is not far-fetched:
http://www.waymarking.com/waymarks/W..._Gallipolis_OH
The notation says that the missing rifle was replaced by a rifle resembling a Springfield '03 - like similar monuments in the area. It would appear that people still believe the Doughboys were only armed with Springfields.
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Is that statue holding a #4 mk1 ?
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Art students make stuff like that. Just another thought.
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an experienced officer here was in doubt that it came off a statue..... as we could not find any marks where the hands of a doughboy would be holding it on that cast rifle..............after talking. we both doubted that they'ld make the rifle so easily detached from a statue....
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My guess would be a punishment rifle - "Here, Mr. Dumbjohn, take a few laps with this at port arms, smartly now!"