Hole in buttstock on an original 1876

[Jubal Starbuck]

     I picked up an old Winchester 1876 about 20 years back than had the barrel cut back, the stock shortened about an inch, and about a one inch hole drilled through the stock from side to side about 3-4 inches ahead of the buttplate and up from the belly of the stock about 2.5 inches.  I asked a knowledgeable collector of Winchesters about this and he  replied that he had seen quite a few of these and he referred to it as a "Montana Saddle Ring".  I've not seen any reference to these anywhere in print and I wondered if anybody else had any experience with them. 

Jubal Starbuck

[St. George]

I've seen a few like that in my travels - a couple had simple braided leather cords forming a sort of sling.

Vaya,

Scouts Out!