Old English forends were favoured by fullbore shooters, as being better quality timber and well seasoned they were less prone to shift the POI due to changes in the weather. The old timers used to say "the worst bit of walnut is still better than the best bit of anything else".

The H and HT rifles were keenly sought after for target competition as they already had the heavy barrel installed and were generally built on early actions which were reputedly better quality as well.

A few years ago I restored a HT for a friend who bought the rifle new through the NSW Rifle Assosiation in the '60s and promptly swapped the coachwood forend for his favourite walnut forend. Luckily he kept all the metal bits he removed and fellow member from here (Son) happened to have a tidy forend inletted for a heavy barrel.

In short, there is nothing unusual about a rifle that has been used in fullbore competition having early walnut furniture.