With the earliest "Field Grade" Smiths, the Grade OO guns, all stocks were made of plain grade English walnut (and plain grade English is typically lighter in color than plain grade Black walnut). With the introduction of the Field Grade in 1913, stock wood was changed to American black walnut (although some of the earliest Field Grade guns may still have English stocks as supplies on hand were used up) in an effort to lower manufacturing costs (most Enlish walnut used at that time was imported from Europe). As Marlin began to close out the Smith gun, some very late Field Grade guns from that era will have above average black walnut stocks as regards grain and color; again because Marlin was using up its supply of Smith gun stock inventory. But ALL original Smith stocks will be walnut of some type; and most will at least have good color even when the grain is straight and very plain. When picture shopping, remember that seldom do the photos presented accurately reflect wood color; such photos typically show the wood lighter than actual, or shaded noticeabley darker.