Stevens most certainly did acquire Mass Arms, hence the appearance of the "Maynard Junior" boys' rifle, and maybe an influence on the Models 12 and 101.   

One facet of this might be the change of management in 1896. Irving Page was obviously a go-go salesman/entrepreneur, who might have been inclined to shade the truth from time to time, or have induced his underlings to do so.  And of course cut-throat competition was no stranger in that time, no matter what the industry.   

BTW I cannot find that picture.  (Of course, now that I want it.)

Hmm.  So you're suggesting that those WCF marked barrels deliberate, rather than a mistake.  That hadn't even crossed my mind.  But knowing how businessmen today lay claim to others' technology, (Gates stealing Apple's GUI comes to mind), it's certainly more than plausible.

There's already been previous posts about Maynard having used a "thick rim" of about 1/16" thickness on their 25-20 cases, while WRA and other cartridge manufacturers used a thinner rim of around 0.050" on their 25-20 SS cases.
Could you have chambered a thick rimmed Maynard case in the 1885 and closed the action, or would you have been required to use the thinner rimmed "25 WCF" cartridge case in the 1885?