Actually the stock is all heart wood the drastic difference in color is due to the stock being sanded to 150 grit and the handgaurd being oxidized as well as the forward portion being dipped in something like beeswax to protect the metal clips (I have since tried to remove this and its clear the handgaurd is ruined for the type of finish I want on the rifle)
I also used shadow and direct light to high light how the width of the handgaurd and the forestock varied.
I am thinking I need to go shopping for another handgaurd as neither one I have is coming up to the level of fit I wanted. As well as one of them having the wax soaked deep into it.