So as not to mess up the Ithaca post and speaking of straight stocked trap guns, does anybody have a theory why so many early trap guns were straight gripped.

I have an early Remington 32 #838 that is straigh stocked, early Baker (octagon barrel) SBT, 1894 Remington CEO, 1894 Remington F, Francotte SBT and Remington 10 and 29 trap guns that are straight.