I highly doubt the metal bar on mine was added by anyone after purchase. The rifle was bought brand new in 1955 in Gonzolez, TX and seen 3 owners (Grandfather, Father, and presently me) to date. Aside from the addition of a set of Smith mounts and rings and a new (then) Weaver scope, it has been untouched. An interesting feature of mine is that the swing swivels are not standard grade loops, but the milled Super Grade units. The stock is a standard grade Monte Carlo stock/checkering pattern with the inletting around the swing swivels that appears to be factory. About the only modification done to the rifle since it left the original owners hands was the readjustment of the scope to move the zero down to a more practical 150 yards from 250.

Sorry about venturing away from the subject of the thread with this. If anyone is offended by my departure I will move it to a more appropriate forum/thread.