I agree completely and would not want any protrusions on a gun that I order, it's asking to get chipped. However It's a feature more prevalent than we realise I think, and perhaps an accepted feature of Austrian/Teutonic guns? Have a search on Youtube for an interview done by Field & Rural Life TV on Peter Hambrusch showing the 500NE double and 700NE single shot manufactured by Peter's shop. If you look closely enough you can clearly see the wood overhanging the side of the locks on the top and the bottom of the action. The 500NE in question, Peter explains, would cost 150,000 Euro and the Hambrusch name is well known for absolute quality, so Im quite sure the wood is not left there due to shoddy workmanship just a unique feature.