Yeah, I'm withholding my opinion on the breakdown capability until there's sufficient information, even if that's the "official theory". I mean, even if the stock was cut down, it looks like the shortest barrel would have been 22 inches, but an "older" one looks like it would more likely have a 24 inch barrel. The rifle is reported to have been scoped, so it could have been cut short, no need for the front sight.

But someone who'd planned that well ... would they have just left it in the woods? Instead of continuing to carry it with them still hidden in the backpack?