Well team, none of my feelers here or on other Marlin/levergun sites came through, but I just got a solid lead on a nicely checkered factory-original take-off stock set. Looks like it is brand new and the price is great -- much cheaper than the checkering quotes I got. Wood should be here with a week or so.
Will post pictures of the before & after.
Oh yes, I almost forgot.........
Anybody looking for smooth wood for a Marlin Cowboy ? ? ? 
Old No7