CB900 (I had a CB1100F way back when, by the way) your question about the wood has got me thinking.
My dad had a model 39a way back when I was a toddler. I remember seeing it before I started school. It was a microgroove rifle, so that puts it some time between '53 and about '59 or so when I can remember seeing it in the gun rack.
As I recall, the wood was dark. I mention that I remember seeing it before it could have possibly been 10 years old because I'm using that memory to base my opinion that the wood did not change colors as it aged.
The last time I saw that rifle was just before it was stolen in 1983.
It was the same dark color 30 years later that I remember it being way back then when I saw it as a child, and when I fired it the first time.
So, here's my comment/question about the wood on old rifles-
The newer Marlins look different. The wood is lighter colored, and shows more grain.
I don't think I've seen a recently made rifle with wood on it that looks like that old walnut did.
In fact, I don't remember seeing any wood any where that looks like those old marlins.
What's up with that?
Is that stain on those old stocks? I don't think so. I think the wood is dark clear through. I've taken stocks off before and it's dark on the inside and where it's inletted. Would they stain the wood inside a drilled hole?
Is it a different variety or species of walnut that's not available any more?
Is it a result of climate changes? I bet the guy that invented the internwebs thinks it is.
What is everybody thinking about this? Is it going to be possible at all to duplicate the stocks on an old Marlin?
Old wood and New wood: