I totally agree with you Mike, but if you look at the photo's, you will see that it also has a pin protruding from the fore-end and a mating hole/detent in the action plate. As there are no other levers or buttons, I can only assume that it is a spring loaded location pin.A fore-end must be located on more than one place or it will twist.Shotguns use a similar catch but they are also located at the pivot point at the action. Does anyone have one of these rifles with this feature that can verify this?
Roger
-------------------- If you live for a thousand years, you still only have one life, don't waste it.
The fore end is inletted perfectly tight, as you would expect for a Fraser. The loop provides location, as does the little pin, against twisting, and the latch holds everything together snugly. Quite simple really. I had more than one across the bench in my career.