Besides the point already made about the black cap (not on the original -- no pistol grip cap, no forend cap, no cap on butt -- maybea flat metal plate), the original bolts were not compatible with telescopic sights and has probably been modified.

Nevertheless, many fine sporterized or even custom rifles were made based on the military .30-06 action and barrel. I have one of these that my dad sporterized that is beautiful and shoots very well. It doesn't have to be a collectible to give great hunting service, which is probably why your nephew bought it.

I understand that some early .30-06 military rifles were subject to unreliable heat treating, and actions on such early issue rifles can be subject to catastrophic failure when shooting "high power" rounds. What is a "high power" round? Something more powerful than your average ordinary .30-06 commercial off-the-shelf loading, for example a handload that is pushing the upper edge of the envelope. I think this is a matter that can be resolved objectively based on the serial numbers located on the actions. Seems like serial numbers less than about 240,000 are subject to this possible flaw. Doesn't mean every one of these low number actions will fail, but some will -- it is a variability in manufacturing that was not understood well at the time of early production. Others of greater erudition in this subject can probably provide further guidance on this subject -- I'm reciting this information from memory, and it may not be entirely spot on.