I owned a basic Hellis BLNE that was a solid gun. One design I've seen on Hellis guns, but not on many others from the UK, is a gun with a little metal plate added to the stock right behind the receiver. An attempt, I guess, to give somewhat the effect of a sideplated boxlock. Can't decide whether I like the look.
The attempt was...to give the head of the stock more strength. Hellis believed in this. It looks nothing like what Cogswell & Harrison did to their boxlocks to attempt a cosmetic "sidelock" appearance. To my eye, the Hellis treatment is somewhat pleasing, they did it right and made it their own. I especially like the looks of the higher grade Hellis boxlocks with this treatment.
Dustin
