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Most American built Kentucky and Pennsylvania style rifles were built with maple stocks, the fancy rifles had stocks of Birdseye maple. You must recall from your history books, these are the rifles that were used to defeat the British in the War of 1812? Maple is light and dense. Much harder than walnut, not prone to splitting, warping or dents. Perhaps Mr. Lott was using the tradition wood of America in his American .450 Lott.

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Frank

One can hardly hold the Kentucky rifle up as an example of fine gunmaking. As for inferring that the Maple stocks in some magical way contributed to the defeat of the British, well I think that might be something of a fanciful stretch!

The fact is that Maple was probably used due to its ease of accessibility and cost.
Further on the subject of Military rifles, millions of Mausers were built using Walnut for their stocks, and as a result a very large proportion of them survive today.
Not withstanding your great respect for Mr Lott, the undisputed fact is that Walnut is, always has been, and always will be the wood of choice for any gunmaker worth his salt.

This is an undisputed fact.

Mr Lotts choice in this case , as already pointed out by a previous poster, was most likely due to his rather unusual propensities in regard to "style".

As you previously pointed out this was his choice. He also made other choices:

He chose to use an inexpensive ordinance action, when as you pointed he probably had access to any action he wanted, including the best of them all, Commercial Mausers

He chose to fit a square block to the rear bridge in what appears to be an attempt to make the action something it isn't

He chose to use a standard length action for a cartridge that ideally demands a Magnum length.

He chose to accept a poor standard of fit and finish, most likely in the case of the quarter rib and front sight, using some sort of pre machined, solder on parts. If in fact they are custom made, then they are of indifferent quality and finish.

With no disrespect, Mr Lott may have been responsible for stretching the 458 Win Mag, providing us with what is in this modern day a very popular cartridge.
Fortunatley many good makers are now providing us with finely made rifles using his legacy.

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Walk softly and carry a big stick

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