Gary – 

Wow – what a wonderful matched pair – the M71 and M65 bolt-peeped deluxes.  Truly wonderful and so appealing to look at as a pair.  

I agree with what you said.  However, once I saw the similarly checkered M65 in The Winchester Book, I would have been very comfortable feeling like I didn’t try to have to weave a story with the rifle.  If anything, I can see a path where the checkering style makes the rifle more desirable. 

Again, congratulations to the buyer.