What do you call this style of stock?

[1899]

Specifically the fore-end; note how it is short and decreases in height as it goes towards the muzzle:

I've also seen it on Mauser M98s and on some falling block single shot rifles (Holland & Holland for example). Thanks.

 

[bigbull]

I woulod call it an English Style forend, as stated they are often seen on English rifles.
I really like that look.
bb

 

[toebako]

Yup. English classic. The american classic is what we see more of. A lot of drop on the butt just like my 404. I wish my 404 had that forend though. Nice gun.

 

[Levi Garrett]

modern classic

 

[daveg01]

Wooden?

What do I win?

 

[Boomer]

That style of stock has much in common with the stocks often seen on early big bore magazine rifles in the years before scopes were as common, so I suppose it could be referred to as an express stock.

 

[Mauser98]

Here's an example from the Martini and Hagn site. They refer to to the stock as 'British style'. I have seen the forend tip referred to as 'Rigby style'

I find the style to be visually pleasing but concede that the large drop at heel doesn't lend itself to the use of a scope, especially when the scope is mounted as high as it is in the OP's picture.

 

[1899]

I find the style to be visually pleasing but concede that the large drop at heel doesn't lend itself to the use of a scope, especially when the scope is mounted as high as it is in the OP's picture.

I also prefer much less drop at the heel, but I really like the fore-end style. I think it would look very nice on a Ruger No.1 too; much nicer than the Alexander Henry fore-end imho.

 

[Mauser98]

I also prefer much less drop at the heel, but I really like the fore-end style. I think it would look very nice on a Ruger No.1 too; much nicer than the Alexander Henry fore-end imho.

Interestingly, some high end rifle builders use a mathematical device called the Golden Ratio to establish the length of the forend in relation to the total length of the exposed barrel.

For a decent explanation of the Golden Ratio see:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Golden_ratio

For example, if your barrel length was 24", divide this by 1.618 to get the length of the barrel beyond the stock, or 14.81". The forearm length is then the remainder, or 9.19 inches.

I used this method on a stock I recently reshaped and quite like the results.

Take a look at the Martini and Hagn site in their single shot photo section to get an idea of the look on a single shot rifle. Pretty nice.

 

[BigUglyMan]

Yup. English classic. The american classic is what we see more of. A lot of drop on the butt just like my 404. I wish my 404 had that forend though. Nice gun.

With some judicious sanding and rasping it could.