Working on the history but the effect of time passed is a problem.
So far what I know: My wife's friend said her husband is the second owner that she knows of, he got it from his brother (now deceased) in the 1950's, who got it sometime in the 1940's. The owner has alzheimer's and also had a stroke so can't fill in any details unfortunately. The wife and daughter are asking other family members for more details. His best friend and his wife both said he never shot it.
According to the wife the gun sat in her husband's closet since the 1950's and was only taken out to oil it a bit every other year or so. I could tell I was the first to field strip it in decades. Without considering the obvious markings, which seem to validate it (so far), the inside of the action is all similar wear, dust, old yellow grease, etc. The stock wood looks aged the same with wear marks crossing over from one piece to the next. If it was a rebuild why leave the hairline cracked stock on it?
Considering the time frames and that one family owned it I don't think there has been any parts swapping going on but I am no expert on these. Learning fast though.
I'll post any info I can find out since I am very interested in the history of the gun.
Thanks for the input and if it was my gun prior to Wednesday there would be no rust on it.
ps. Since the stock is getting a bit dry what would be your suggestion for its' preservation? Raw linseed oil was the original approved finish correct? Should I rub a bit on the stock and let it dry?