Help ID this stock?

[handofzeus]

This stock came on my 1893 Marlin .30-30. By the serial on the receiver the rifle was made in 1908. The wood has multiple fractures but it's epoxied backtogether solid. It fits the upper and lower tang very very well but it just seems bigger than it should be as the wood stands a good 1/16" above the metal instead of resting flush. The other interesting thing is the pair of carved out hearts on both sides. Almost as though these were at one time inlaid with something. I'm wondering if maybe the stock was from a different make or model? I can't bring myself to refinish the wood, even though my can of Tung Oil is speaking to me!!!

heart by handofzeus, on Flickr

heart 001 by handofzeus, on Flickr

 

[handofzeus]

Come on. Has anybody seen one like it before?......on ANY other leveraction?

 

[jpc]

Hi

How about a close-up of the butt plate

take care

jpc

 

[plinker 777]

Savage 1899 w/ a very skilled penknife?

 

[handofzeus]

Hi JPC, it's been awhile! Sorry about the crappy pic but my camera won't do anything closer. No markings on the buttplate but here it is.

marlin butt by handofzeus, on Flickr
I saw that old Snaphance of yours for sale. That is one unique rifle.

 

[jpc]

My guess in 1894 Winchester butt with plate

 

[handofzeus]

My guess in 1894 Winchester butt with plate

Thankyou sir. Have you ever seen hearts like those? I doubt these were hand carved by an owner, they're identical in size, shape and placement on both sides and the checkering is spaced around them.

 

[jpc]

I would think the checkering is a little course for factory

 

[handofzeus]

You may be right.

 

[Road King]

Pull the stock off and see if there is a serial number in the upper tang channel. All Marlin butt stocks are serial numbered to the gun. The checking and hearts have likely been carved in later. Marlin did offer a style of checking that had the fleur-de-lis incorporated in the their checkering, but I assure it was much better quality then yours. Go ahead and put some oil on the wood and enjoy the old rifle.