Unique numbers on 1894 Winchester

It might be of interest that the G stamp is put on separate than the SC 31 which seems to be one stamp. Both were applied by press instead of hammer, too. Seems a backwards way of marking and might offer a clue.

An important clue is the 'scabbard mark' caused by the saddle ring riding downward and vibrating. That rifle has ridden many miles on a good horse. (Unbent barrel and mag tube means good horses)

That's the grit in the cross-strap on the scabbard. Leather plus dust equals a lap.

Rifles never taken apart have a special look and special appeal to me. They never look the same or as good after 'a good cleaning'.

It looks like the rubber coating came off a pick-up window gun rack. The hammer was down when it happened. I withdraw the leather strap idea. It's impact, not wear.
I'd bet that gun has not been apart.

That saddle ring dent is a genuine saddle scabbard indicator. The position of the gun in the scabbard can be determined by how the ring hangs. That seems to be a butt forward-sights down carry.
It's natural to find a 'cradle' for a gun. That one seems to be vee shaped but a wide one. It's probably just one day of a mistake that wasn't repeated.