There are many applications where a Silvers pad is not only proper but attractive as well. Vintage American S X S guns often came with a Silvers pad, not necessarily for recoil attenuation, but often as butt protector in the field and on the range. Finely checkered butts are fragile, and a hard rubber plate is not much to look at, unless we're talking originality on a minty vintage double.
I have several doubles with Silvers, and Silvers type, pads and wouldn't change them for anything. When used appropriately they are proper, and they look good too, IMO. When I put a new Silvers type pad on a gun the last thing I do is apply a couple coats of French Polish to it. It gives it an "aged glow" that does away with that "Hey, look at me. I'm new." look.
