I have one that looks just like that. My rifle has matching bolt and receiver numbers. There is what looks to be a partial mark of some sort and a small 2 and m just under the knox, on the left side.
The receiver has been scrubbed completely on top of the ring. No marks at all. The serial number on mine starts with 54C0###. This would make it a late 43 or early 44 dated, Chicopee made Savage No4 MkI*. The stock is maple, with smooth handguards. The bands and ferrules are the early heavy type that almost look machined and are all marked with the square S. There are no front sights but the lugs for them are there. No bayo lugs present and just in front of the muzzle, 7.62 is stamped. Someone electropenciled .308 onto the front ferrule. The trigger guard is also Savage marked.
The butt has a proper sniper cheek piece attached and the previous owner glass bedded the action. The mag has a very imaginative insert to convert it to a single stack, 5 round mag that will accept and flawlessly feed the 7.62 Nato round.
It is very accurate with ammo it likes.
IMHO, it is a civilian put together. There are no holes drilled & tapped to accept a micrometer style rear sight. The finish on my receiver is parked as well but black rather than gray. Whoever did the conversion, was a professional and knew exactly what they were doing. REME? Maybe?
As far as strength goes, the locking recesses retain more than enough steel where it is needed.
IMHO, go ahead and shoot that rifle. Mine, works just fine and the $300 I paid for it was well worth the money.
