Mark;
The guns are beautiful. You are that rare artist in wood we admire.
As to the cheek piece.......I think I would leave it. European Cheek pieces are kinds cool, and your assessment of changing cast is dead on.....they don't change anything when you lop them off.
It isn't on a British "best," it's on a nice Euro Gun.
Sam Ogle, Lincoln, NE

Sam Ogle