Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Savage Collectors Model 1895 with checkered wood

Almost all of the checkered 1895's we see have one checkering pattern, which isn't this one. The common pattern is the one below. A couple very high grade 1895's have a fancier pattern.

But with this buttstock checkering style now being found on two 1895's, David's and Gene's, and the front curve matching a Marlin practice.. I agree with Gene, it seems to be a Marlin style. David's forearm being so odd made his rifle seem likely to be aftermarket. Now one has to wonder about whether his odd forearm is original or changed.

I don't think this is the catalogued checkering in the 1895 catalog which adds $9.50/$10.50 (fancy wood costs more) to the price.
The 1897 catalog has the same checkering but $1 cheaper, for $8.50/$10 (fancy wood costs more). But the 1897 catalog also has an "Checking on ordinary stocks" for $6. Didn't remember this at the Fest, but I'd wondered at what it could be in the past.

I'm guessing this is the 1897 $6 "Checking on ordinary stocks". Talk about rare!

Nice find, Gene!

Here's the normal 1895 checkering that's seen on 1895's, the $10'ish one I'm guessing.