Ruger 77R 358 win.

[allaboutguns]

I am a dealer here in Pa. and a customer brought an older 77R in to sell on consignment. It has an ultra lite stock on it. The owner claims that his father bought this new with another 358 win and a 257 roberts. All have the same stock on it, the black forend tip ultra stock. His father was a gunsmith in Tx. and kept meticculous records on his purchases, and if he worked on any of the firearms in his collection. The owner wanted me to sell it on consignemnt and I agreed. I put it in my shop for sale and listed it on another site. I immediately started to take a beating on this stating its not a true ruger configuaration, an ultra stock was never on this firearm. Then I had a customer come in several times and last night tore it up as not original, due to the stock. I have no reason to doubt this owner nor his departed father, but I don't want to misrepresent this firearm to anyone. I called ruger and they confirmed it was a 09/78 product and shipped the same month. It is chambered correctly and with a 22 inch barrel. They stated it had a standard stock, but then stated that back then Ruger did do limited runs or odd configurations and did not catalog them as such. They then suggested I contact your assosiation for information. The serial number is 73-478** and is all correct as a 22 inch 358 Win. It has the tang safety and all is correct except the question about the stock. Ruger states they did not come out with the ultra lite configuration until 83, but could have been testing the waters so to speak. The father did cut the stock and apply a recoil pad and beded the action. He in-turn ordered another stock identical in the event he ever sold it and the new owner wanted an original stock. I would appreciate any help on this because I do not want to mislead a potential buyer.