David, I just went and checked a few rifles and one of my early catalogs and that is the early "B" style checkering. I have a rifle s/n 53.xxx that has the old style "B" checkering

[Linked Image]


and i have a rifle s/n 54.xxx with the new style "B" checkering

[Linked Image]

The only reason for the xxx in the serial numbers is i didn't write them down ,and couldn't remember them from the vault to the house !! blush