Carl,
Snap a pic or two for me, would you? I've never had a chance to tear a Fixe apart.

Later into the Bruchets production of the Darne guns, the design was updated with a typical 10 mm bolt under the buttplate, assuming the customer ordered a buttplate. Guns with a solid stock still had the bolt that came in through the action.

Good luck on the repairs and refinish.

Best,
Ted