Posted by C Helms on December 17, 2014, 10:49 am, in reply to "1945 Ideal Grade"
I'm no expert. But, I've never observed a stock or forend, that I thought was original, w/out # stamps (approximately a 30 gun sample size).
On the flip side, just having numbers isn't an automatic indicator of originality either. Many gunsmiths have number punches for this purpose.
And, as Mr. Archer points out so well, the shape, style, profile, checkering, appropriate condition, fit, and finish are probably better indicators. Numbers on the wood would be just added confirmation for me.
IMHO, A really good stock maker could probably fool anyone on originality. But, that wouldn't come cheap.