Thanks once more gents. The stock is just over 14 3/8th LOP which is spot on for me and actually for such an old gun not too bad in my inexperienced view. It doesn't look cut down as the butt plate remains original and doesn't bear any evidence of change (or fitting adjustments for example) - so I am going to go on the assumption the original owner was a smallish strong man to carry 12 lbs around regularly, no doubt without any gunslip!
I intend to keep hold of it - but equally use it as its maker intended, albeit with care. Order for brass cases/bismith etc all going in shortly and then once the season has ended here in the UK, I will start to learn to homeload.
