“I think I can see him holding a 14” to 16” barrel AR or M4.”
Yes it was a shorter rifle. But there were “tanker” model Mausers made in 30-06. I have one distributed by Mitchell Manufacturing and they are real short, about the same as an AR.
But like you guys point out. I have yet to see a picture of the rifle they found.
They said it was a model 24. That's a big gun.