uncut op rods are not dangerous to fire. Yes it is " possible" they could crack at theright angle but there has never been a incident recorded of a injury from one cracking
You said it was dangerous so that would lead one to believe it has caused injury
Not trying to argue just making statement
There is alot of incorrect info being repeated on the internet, such as the reason op rods cracked is becuase of firing grenades. This is also a internet myth
I have all correct SA 1941, SA 1943, SA 1944 and SA 1945 Garands all with uncut op rods and I do shoot them all. Am I taking a chance on them breaking? Maybe but the chance is very small. If it does crack I will simply buy another, they are not hard to find or that much premium over a standard op rod.
Just my opinion
The going assumption on the un-cut op-rod is that it is worth more as-is, than if it is cracked. Many folks work really darn hard to find a "correct" gun and will usually pay a premium to get the exact right part to finish a build. While not as valuable as a documented original rifle, there are some collectors that do like a rifle with original parts for the receiver.
They did break during use in the field, hence the relief cut on many that were originally produced as un-cut, and the later design change to add a radius to relive the stress.
Was that thing in a fire? Seems odd the handguard metal is still there.
I just met with the head of the museum and found a stock for it. He gave the green light to clean it up and get it to him to be parkerized and it will be on display in the museum in just a couple of weeks.
I'm glad to see some good come out of it. A museum is a great place for it to rest.
Will the museum or you be doing something to make this rifle permanently non-functional? No telling what somebody down the road might try to do if this rifle appears to be functional.It'll function well as a display piece and I didn't have much in it so its a win win for everyone