[StarOfTheWest]

Oh no offense taken at all, Albert.
I am presenting these guns to the community to get a wide range of opinion, and I thank you for yours.
I appreciate your input, and it will give me more things to look for on this gun.

I must defend the factory finish in this case though, as it passes all the sniff tests for a refinish, (inside rails in the white, under safety lever white with the blue appropriately bordered, etc.).

My photos are not doing the piece justice, and I would certainly prefer that it be examined in person.
I am in no way an expert or even reasonably practiced photographer, and I am afraid this is casting some doubt over the legitimacy of this gun.

Do you have a photo of the "tiger grain" straw effect you mention on the safety lever?
I would love to compare it to what I can see in person under good light.
I do indeed see age patina overall, but again, my photos did not show it, as the light may have washed it out a bit.

As for the engraving being "crude", I find it anything *but* that.
It is not gold filled, but the detail and craftsmanship is minute and quite perfect.

I will be patient until some of the more expert members in my area or within a state or so may be passing this way.
Mr. Wood knows my location, and would be welcome here anytime.

None of my guns are for sale, nor will they be, so there is certainly no attempt to pass off a gun as a fraud happening here.
I am very willing to admit if something is not right on any of my guns, but I am very convinced this one is right as rain.
Of course, I have the advantage of having it here in good light, in my hands, and you have only my rather poor photos of it to judge it by.

Thanks again for your information.