It must be a early production.I always thought so to until got this one.I had a gunsmith friend and he drilled and tapped it for me for a few bucks.He didn't like the way the guy who cut the barrel crowned it so while he was at it he recrowned. I have the original wood here but I found a synthetic stock for it.If I remember right all I could find for it was a inexpensive Ramline to fit it.That was several years back.Actually the rifle in real good shape for it's age.Still has 95+ % of the original bluing. The wood stock has a few notches cut in the butt stock.The forearm has bands and no checkering. I just wish I hadn't had the barrel cut down. I've taken a few deer with it. I haven't taken it out hunting in several years. You speaking what you paid yours back in 1956. I have packed away some old Shooters' Bibles or Gun Digests and some old American Rifleman's from back in the mid 40's I think they are. You should see the prices back then.Seems to me a S&W M36 Chief Special was 36.00. Of course people back then were lucky to get a dollar a hour.I bought a good size box from a guy that was nothing but Old American Rifleman's.When I first got them I was looking through them. Things sure have changed since back then.