Hello Mike,
Yes, I consider Axel the absolute authority of Mausers. He has been much help over the years. And yes, he posted pictures of one with a lower number than this one. I like to post on multiple forums because some forum members don't subscribe to other forums, and by doing so I can get several opinions - albeit good or bad. I believe the stock was also a European addition / upgrade based on the "old" condition and the German style script serial number in the barrel channel and the horn butt plate. Perhaps the original stock was broken.
Thanks very much for your input.
Buck
