The two different style's of German silver patch boxes (not brass) are not even close to being interchangable. A stock already inletted for one couldn't be converted to the other and look good (going either way wood missing from the original inlet would show). Sounds like your new stock is 2nd gen. Who knows what's still left over in the bins at Numrich, but they could have to right one. If not Deer Creek is the best bet for a new original 2nd gen patch box.
jlchucker - you have what I call a transitional kit rifle.
A little of the MR history I've put together over the years may be of interest. It comes from a collection of CVA catalogs and the examples of dozens of rifles owned by others that I've conversed with... The 1st generation MR's were first available sometime in 1975 (they were not in the 1975 catalog, so a new model added during the year). Then sometime in 1976 the MR's started the transition from the specifications of the "Made in USA" 1st generation rifles to those of the not so marked 2nd generation MR's. The 1977 catalog specs only the 2nd generation MR (Spanish barrel, 2-screw patchbox, round thimbles, etc). "Transitional" because there was overlap on some of the 2nd generation rifles having parts on them that were left over from the earlier model (stocks or stock parts, barrels, thimbles, etc). Who knows how long these transition rifles/kits were done by CVA. Adding to the confusion are rifles that over the years have been altered from their original configuration by an owner. The MR's transitioned again in 1989 when they were changed to a premium model with fancy walnut srocks (with no patch box), hand polish metal and other changes they deemed "premium". Also a very few of the earliest rifles where not marked Made in USA, but they had higher grade wood to distinguish them.
Regardless, they are all such great RB shooters that they do have a strong following.
