Thanks Frank for putting the pics up. As you can see its not in too bad condition now all the brown paint is removed. I guess its definatly beech then, that's why I took pic with my 35E as a comparison. I've also got a std 35 that is beech, but the thumbhole looks nothing like that. In answer to 'how does it handle' it's ok, seems very point able with the thumbhole stock, but it's a bit of a pain when you realise you havnt pushed the safety off when you go to take a shot, as I'm right handed and I have to sort of unravel my hand from the stock to push it off, rather than just using your thumb as normal. John.