I was re-reading John Kingsley-Heath's book "Hunting the Dangerous Game of Africa" (or something like that) where he relates that his favorite rifle was a Westley Richards "White Hunter" in .470 NE, with a photo of the rifle.

What I noticed was that there was hardly any drop from the comb to the butt of the stock. Now that makes sense. It should minimize a lot of the recoil. I don't think any of the mass-produced doubles these days are even remotely similar.