You show enough to determine this is a factory rifle, not significant work done to it, rare for such an early Simson; the stock is a goner for sure, someone threw away $1000 if done recently, since the 80's these have been desirable and although we know much more today, this type of vandalism (sporterizaton) has long been a problem.
Most do not trend like I do and fewer use my categorization (breakdown pattern), so rarity can depend on observations and how catalogued, but this is still a desirable rifle mostly due being early with its factory bolt and barrel, the stock is a mixed blessing, being original to mfg is rare for this range, its condition a great liability to value, still not a common rifle n this condition, most in this range have worse problems and we do not know what condition the stock was in prior owners. It might not have been as good as the metal...
Not sure when the stock was sporterized, my Father had this, and never mentioned where he picked it up, although my grandfather was in the Navy in WWII, and it may be that he brought it home, and did the stock back in the late 60's to mid 70's, if this is actually the original stock, that was modified, unfortunately there is no way for me to know at this stage in life.
Do you think this is the original stock, just modified? I know it may be hard to speculate, since the only markings left on it were the ones shown pictured (top-rear, under the receiver tang rear-most in the trough) earlier.
As a collector, what do you think would be the best way to restore? Use a mismatched serialized original stock, and stock metal, or reproduction items? Or would it just be best to let sleeping dogs lie, and leave it as is?
I am currently at odds as to what I wish to do with it, it is a fascinating Historical arm, and although I am very interested in it's history, I don't usually prefer to have so many odd calibers in my collection, despite the fact that this rifle still shoots well, it uses ammunition I don't typically keep on hand, mainly because I typically collect U.S. made WWII Surplus Military arms, though I confess to formerly having had a Swiss K-31, as well as a few U.S. Krag's around, but got out of them due to Ammunition Prices going insane.
It may end up being best to offer this to someone who would greatly appreciate it's History, and craftsmanship more than I, but I do really like the rifle, it is a work of art in it's own right, I just like to shoot what I collect too, and thinking that adding a bunch of mileage to it seems like something to avoid on this one, since from what you, and others have mentioned here, it appears rather scarce to find one with original bolt/barrel combinations in this vintage, and condition.
I appreciate all the information given from everyone here, and just want to do this rifle justice, so no more harm comes to it with mod's, also so it does not get forgotten, or lost in the daily shuffle with the passage of time. Whether I keep it, or give it a good home, it will be well cared for, so I know my Father would be pleased that I took the time, and care to do so either way.
Thanks again for all of your current, and any future input, as well as everyone else's comments here, they are all greatly appreciated, and I look forward to any other information that comes up.
