It could very well be for some facial defects...However even with facial defects the cumb should have had more graduate edges. Maybe the rifle had some kind of "slide in" cheekrest??. Regardless of what, the cut-in is done deliberatly to assist the shooter/hunter. I could feel tempted to buy this 12bore, if I hadn`t put my hands on another for pick-up DR before x-mas

. Its one of the best 12bores I have seen so far. I believe Cpt.C here on the forum also had a beautiful 12bore, just of a british make.