Up until 1912 all but 2 grades were designated as numbered grades except the Deluxe and Monogram after, 1912 the number grades became like the other two, noun grades. The 00 became Field Grade, 0 grade became Ideal Grade, etc. All of the guns up till 1912-13 had English walnut stocks. There were two styles of ejectors, the first style ejectors used the cocking rods to trip them. The second style used springs in the for-end. All ejector guns used a roller release on the for-end to secure them better. After 1918 all non ejectors guns had a roller release on the for-end except the Field Grade. This was because earlier non-ejector guns only had the "J" spring to hold the for-end on, and many were falling off and getting lost in the field, so Hunter Arms Co. started to use the Curtis for-end which had a push button the end of the for-end, when pushed it caused the "C" clip that caught on the barrel loop groove to hold it on. This was an expensive item to make and many man-hours to do it, so the roller release took its spot.
Pre-1912-13 ejector guns used a 7/8" round metal escutcheon with the roller release, in 1902 and only 1902 a round metal escutcheon with a wood screw on each side of the roller release was used, again a cost feature but because of being held on by wood screws it was prone to come loose.
Curtis for-end
[img]
https://i.imgur.com/guMotcC.jpg?1[/img]
Different styles of releases
l-r Latest style rectangular used on beavertail or splinter 1939-end
Banjo Style used from 1902-1939
3rd style 1891-1901
4th style only used in 1902
[img]
https://i.imgur.com/3NQafel.jpg?1[/img]
From 1912-13 to 1939 the Banjo release was used on ejector and non ejector guns except the non-ejector Field Grade. After 1939 the rectangular release was used until 1945 and into some of the ejector Marlin Era L.C. Smith's.
There are other things used on pre-1912-13 guns that were not found on the later grades such as butt plates, recoil pads, beavertail for-ends, ventilated ribs.
