Bummer
but I doubt it would affect anything. I would almost hesitate to say what you have is the last of them, they pretty much have all but vanished. I would see what he says and go from there, he is a stand up fella.
And truthfully, I'd keep it, and just fix it, but thats just me, wanna talk about a truly sweet shooting accurate rifle... in bolt actions, in my experience... only two others can equal the accuracy, an M39 when set up right, and a M96 Swede.