I handled a Arrietta this evening in 9.3x74r. It was absolutly beautifull. Engraving, fit and finish, wood, the whole works was absolutly the best looking DR I've ever seen. (In or out of the Holland and Holland Boutique in NY.)

It did have one intresting/odd feauture, a straight, English style stock. I can't for the life of me ever remember seeing a DR with a straight stock. I have not seen that many, but ...

Was this/is this common? Is there more felt recoil? Is it faster? What's the deal?

I love my double shotguns with straight stocks, I think maybe a 375f or 400J from Butch might be the final decision for my first serious DR and I'm kind of excited about the possibility of a straight stock. Is this a bad idea?