Hi Frank H.,
What a great find...is this rig yours ? Congratulations...if it is!!! <img border="0" title="" alt="[Eek!]" src="eek.gif" />
In both the LAR book by Kenyon and the IL book by Still; both 1913's shown and described indicate a 1913 Commercial should have a stock lug.
On page 76 of Kenyon's 2nd. book, L-TMNP; he shows a 1906 Commecial, says it came in both 4-3/4" bbl and 4" bbl, ran in the 25050 to 70000 serial number range, has a polished area under the thumb safety, and did not have a stock lug.
If you do not have this book, I would be happy to email you a scan of the text and photo (gun shown is a 4" bbl) of the 1906 Commercial. Just send me your email to "pebbink@pacbell.net"...I would post it here...but the book's copyright is still in place.
I am also not 100% sure on this...but I think a 1913 Commercial would not have the polished area under the thumb safety and would have "Gesichert" at the upper position...I will let one of the "seasoned" Imperial collectors advise you (and me...) otherwise...
If yours is a 1913 and not a 1906...is there evidence the stock lug was ground off and bluing refinished ? I heard guys did this in the 1960's when they thought new gun laws prohibited such lugs...
p.s. Please do not make us all sick and tell us you found this great rig for only $1200...
Regards,
Pete... <img border="0" alt="[typing]" title="" src="graemlins/yltype.gif" />