Yes, it is a raised area on the receiver. I looked at that. Maybe these Savage holes were just an early idea that was later dropped?
Fug's 1895 musket doesn't have a sling swivel on front of lever.
Cody 1895 musket doesn't have the sling swivel on the front of the lever.
Fug's 1899 musket does have the sling swivel on the front of the lever.
The 1895 catalog doesn't show it, shows the sling swivel on buttstock.
The 1897 catalog doesn't show it, shows the sling swivel on buttstock.
The 1900 catalog shows sling swivel on the front of the lever twice.
Given those.. I'd lean towards it being a later idea.
