Greener's Rational Stock in "The Gun and Its Development", 1907
The rational gun-stock was introduced by the author some time ago, and it embodies qualities long sought in pistol-grip guns, and the undeniable advantage of the straight stock.
In this stock, as will be seen from the illustration, there is more than the usual bend at the bump or heel, and that the comb is not straight, but arched slightly; and as the cheek touches the stock about midway between the heel and the thumb, it is there, and there only, that the stock need be straight.
With the usual English gun-stock, put up in the usual manner, it will be found that about one-quarter of the butt projects above, and has no bearing against the shoulder. This leaves the sharp narrow toe to steady the gun and to take the recoil. With the rational stock, the face of the shooter will be resting upon the stock when the bump or heel has reached a level of the shoulder, and the whole of the butt will find a hearing in the hollow of the shooter's shoulder. The bend of the gun will, with the rational stock, be about 2 1/2 in. at heel, 1 1/2 in. at comb, and 1 1/2 in. midway between heel and comb.
