gathumper, the side plates can be rasped off, they also make a european stock without the side plates that has a pancake type cheekpeice instead of a shadowline type.the main differences between the oberndorf & the freischutz is the oberndorf is a slimmer stock, the sideplates are much more pronounced & the butt is wider on the freischutz. the oberndorf will be cut for a neidner buttplate unless you ask them to leave more wood in that area for a wider buttplate. i also have a oberndorf classic & a british express rifle classic stock from them. both were bought from their bargain section & the only flaws were a couple of small knot holes & a couple of very small drying checks.
the freischutz classic above cost me $125 shipped & the other two stocks i've got from them were only $140 shipped. give them a call & talk to them about what you want they are more than happy to work with you.
they will require more inletting than most semi-inlet stocks so don't expect it to drop right in, i would say they are about 70% inletted.

$1850 is not crazy, it all depends on the blank used. i have a freind who makes stocks & most of the blanks he uses average around $400 but he has had more than a few where the blank was $1000+. it all depends on what the customer wants & what he can afford