[Alan De Enfield]

The N79 is a British top wood maker.

It looks to me as if the forend is original savage but the bands are British

N79 = Viners Ltd (Sheffield)
N78 = Victor Engineering & Sheet Metal Workers (Manchester)

It almost looks as if has been close to a fire - particularly the handguard which seems to have 'bubbled varnish' on it.

It has certainly been "ridden hard and put away wet"

 

[Alan De Enfield]

What makes you think the forend is original?

Just going by the 'square S' in the box on the handguard 'Cap'

The metal cap 'nailed' to the handguard is (normally) supplied by the furniture manufacturer - I may be wrong but have not seen any No4 wood without the 'cap" This cap is marked by Savage and this I believe makes it a Savage forend.

In the detailed parts list for the No4 there is no individual part number for the 'cap' it comes with the handguard as a 'manufacturer assembly'. (ASSD)
Armourers / stores could not order this part as it had no part number.

Item 12 (the handguard) is shown as a manufacturers assemby and incorporates item 13 and 14 ( Cap & Liner)

 

[Alan De Enfield]

I'm sure limpetmine is watching this with amusement...


That's the lower (front) handguard, not the forend, in the pic.

You are absolutely correct - my mistake. I'm talkilng Savage handguard - the rest of the world is discussing the forend.

I blame 'Man-Flu' and all the meds - brain not working correctly.