59000 serial range 520- 30 with a steel checkered butt plate

Hi all

Could a steel butt plate be original? Bruce Canfield's book calls for the plastic only. The shotgun is minty with matching serial #'s

Thanks
Greg

Went through an overhaul , damaged plastic replaced with metal GI post war replacement , finished renewed . Because these were civilian guns pressed into military service , extra care was used to prevent parts mixing due to fitting problems . Prob'ly done in small lots compared to other weapons , too.
One explanation , though .
Any rebuild stamps ?
Another could be a post-service gunsmith . My '97 trench could be passed as a new original except for the half rubbed away serial numbers from being carried so much .
Chris

Thanks Chris
Yes I just found out it has RA-T stamped on the bottom of the pistol grip. I figure the RA is Rarital but dont know what the T is.

Raritan . T is the internal inspector who passed that gun . Lists of who they were are unknown in most cases.
Chris

Thanks Chris