The stippling was not a popular treatment, and it looks rather amateurish IMO. Since Howe's real fame was metal working it may be another indication that the stock may be by JVH.
I have to agree with you, if I was having a custom rifle made, I would not want stippling.
I had some time to play around today. I took the scope off and put a rear sight on. The rifle looks a lot nicer with the scope off, the stock is really set up for iron sights. I took more pictures, and played around some with the pictures I took. I think these are much nicer than the ones that I originally posted.
The tang has been modified
Here is what the inletting looks like
and some pictures of the horn grip cap and butt plate
there is a small post dovetailed into the barrel, the post is threaded for the sling swivel
