Hmmm this business about getting the headspace checked
you know of all the various old rifles I have had through my hands and those of friends I have yet to know of one which unless had the wrong bolt in it, that required checking. Either American shooter totally abuse rifle so it puts the head space out or it's another example of over kill. It's true that most ex-military arms have at least been proofed fairly recently or at least in the last 20 years as it's an offence under law to sell or offer for sale an arm out of proof or unprooved. Military proof does not count either.