I agree with the basic premis of your post, but you missed a few things. The wood is not altered in any way. This is a 1905 model number 2 pattern Jeffery rifle, which were originally made on military actions. All of this is documented in Speeds book and in the reproduction catalogs from Cornell publishing. The cost, if one were paying retail for all of the work could be prohibitive. I work in the trade and do lots of restoration in house and additionally know several engravers. This helps my bottom line in the gun. I also traded for it...which also helps. Overall I'll do OK, have you seen the .333 number 2 pattern rifles Cabelas has? Spendy to say the least. Watch my website....it will be a long term project, but worthy in my mind. Oh and the floor plate is an abortion....Jeffery would never have let a rifle leave with his name on it looking like that. I think you may want to study up on British mausers, they usually were fine indeed.
Steve