Butlersrangers, thank you for this information.  It is extremely helpful.  I admit I was quite confused on the model types and the parts that should fit.  Your call outs and advice will help me get started.  I'll look into getting the Poyer book.

I measured the front sight this morning.  It is about .413 on the button total height, and rises about .280 or so above the base at its tallest point.  If that does make it a "rifle" blade, is it safe for me to assume that a "rifle" rear sight will still be functional without replacing the blade?  For example, I may just need to increase the elevation on the rear to find my zero at, say, 100 yards?  I'm just not sure how easy it would be to get that pin out.

I will begin the parts-search journey.  I'll start with a side plate and the hand-guard, and most probably a "rifle" sight depending on how my searching goes.

The Higgins pad is hard as a rock.  My uncle says he has the steel butt plate somewhere, but I'm not going to rush into the stock restoration as that is the sort of thing that could go bad in the wrong hands, and I lack wood experience/skills (I'm trying to "do no harm").

I'll report back later when there has been some progress.

Cheers - Thomas