I think it was style someone noticed a nice maple stock and wanted one plus there was lots of maple trees. virginia a Commonwealth not the girl used walnut on some of their rifles but over time maple became the traditional wood .some had ash ,cherry .i was at a shoot years ago and a guy had a rifle made of cherry wood it didn't have the gawdy look of a curly maple stock but the workman ship swamped bbl. Carving fit and finish made you look at the gun as a complete work of art.