The Bench Rest lads tend to go for long forends with very square profiles + high cheekpieces. (& they're not too fussed about finish ). That would be the correct chequering for the time, johnbaz.
Battfink - you PROVE that these guns are Collectable .
Although a High Varnish Finish is now considered distasteful , actually, I think its the correct finish for a spring gun. (has anyone considered Talc on the leading hand?).