One other thing to consider is factory built schuetzen rifles. Marlin made more factory schuetzen ready rifles than the other makers did. Consider that up until 1890 when Marlin quit building the Ballard rifles, they offered a huge variety of schuetzen models, and in a wide range of price.
So the shooter looking for a schuetzen ready model who couldn't afford a custom built gun from one of the famous gunsmiths, could purchase a entry level Union Hill #8 or #9. Or he could step up to a #6 Schuetzen, or even higher level #6 1/2 Rigby. Add to all of these the various sub models, and options, and Marlin really did cater to the schuetzen competitor who wanted a factory ready gun.
Stevens did much the same in the late 1800's, but that was after Marlin flooded the market with their Ballard models. And not long after Stevens went full bore into doing the same as Ballard, interest in schuetzen began to wane. 
Winchester's offerings in the schuetzen ready rifle were always less than Marlin Ballards or Stevens models.

That was my thought , too.
Indeed, looks like a finger rest for help in controlling that
fabulous Ballard trigger. 
beltfed/arnie

That Ballard with the finger rest is the C.W. Roland rifle that he used to shoot the record group shown in the photo above.

Amoskeag Auctions might know the status of that rifle. If memory serves, they handled the sale of that rifle a few years ago.

Interesting that only the center rifle of the three has a palm-rest shown.