Thanks BSA. I didn't know that could be done without damaging the finish. I've dragged the rifle back out of the safe to look at it with a magnifying glass (which really only reduces my blindness somewhat) and I can see no evidence of the removal. I don't really care...I snagged the rifle to hunt with and that's its best and highest use to me.
One more bit of ignorance purged from the core of my being, and it didn't even hurt. It's been a good day.
