I mention first and second world wars since infantry rifles (perhaps excepting Russian 1895 Winchesters??) all had foreend wood top and bottom of each wood stock. Other than probably protecting the user during extended firing, did or does it serve another function - particularly in very cold weather, say, minus 20 degrees Fahrenheit and warmer?

Might protect one's fingers from subzero metal. Don't lick the flagpole.

I think it was just to protect the barrel. These were soldiers you know. Hell Brits would probably use an exposed barrel as a toothpick.

I don't know, but I'll guess, that it is relevant to manapulating the firearm in fixed bayonet configuration, for in-your-face combat.

Naphtali;
Good morning to you sir, I hope the day's behaving for you all down in your section of Montana thus far and you're well.

In a lifetime of looking at lever guns and even owning a 95 rifle, I can't recall ever handling a military 95, but here's a photo of one where we can see it does have top wood, though no more than the carbine did which is a bit interesting.



As far as I can recall reading on the question of wood to the muzzle or nearly so, I want to say it was as you noted to protect the user during extended firing, but also as AGL4now mentioned for bayonet use.

Here's another lever gun from Winchester that was issued to the RNWP, interestingly called a carbine thought it's not what we'd maybe think of as carbine length exactly. Interestingly this one has no top wood on the stock, but then no bayonet lug either so maybe that was the rationale there?

Or not, I have no clue.



From what I've read on the subject, that top wood did present some problems for some of the armorers tuning up rifles for military match or sniper duty.

Years ago a buddy showed me the bedding pads on a post WWII No.4 Mk 1 target rifle he'd picked up. As I recall it had a different rear sight, but the cool part was it's wooden box that it traveled to and from the military matches in.

Anyways sir, just some random thoughts from a BC redneck on the topic at hand.

All the best.

Dwayne