These were put on by a previous owner. I took the action and barrel out of the stock, and behind the forend tip you can see where a swivel stud used to be. It seems as if the forend top was cut down instead of being cut off, and the ebony piece was slipped on over the narrower forend.
No swivel studs, but a hole where one used to be
Modified bolt handle and inletted stock
Non-standard checkering (but not after-market)
The fact that there's non-standard checkering is the strongest point (for me) that the rifle is a factory custom, and tends to confirm my suspicion that Winchester put on the black forend tip and grip cap.
Stock has a slight bend at the wrist
I'm not sure if this is from the age of the wood, being stored pressed in a hard case with the bolt in, or if the stock was designed like this. There is a 2-3 degree bend at the wrist, towards the bolt handle. For me, this isn't a problem at all. it isn't noticeable unless you own the rifle, and it helps me align my eye with the sights, because I'm right-handed. Actually, it's not noticeable at all, and is completely inconsequential. I don't know what I'm talking about.
Bluing Messed Up from Hoppes Aerosol
Don't spray Hoppes No.9 Aerosol onto your gun. That isn't a shine from the light near the rear scope mount holes. Luckily the Redfield sight covers it now.
