Lawman,
Another viewpoint to consider is that "if" it were a British retailed (don't know about German, Austrian, French), owned, & maintained MS it would have more than likely been "refreshed" in it's working lifetime. (unless of course it never left the African/Indian Colonies)
Stocks re-oiled, checkering picked up, worn bluing looked after, etc.
Some often used sporting arms would go back to a gunmaker annually after the seasons closed for cleaning, repair, and storage.

Not like the custom here in the US of NEVER restoring/refreshing an original antique Winchester or Colt......different society and different culture.

- Mike