Lou not all the Custom No1's had the butt pad some came with the plate it depends on the length of the butt.
My No4 Custom's -- one has the flat butt plate and therefore a longer butt the smae overall length as the other Custom with the Butt pad.

Again just to make it obvious -- when put side by side the butts are the same overall length the butt on the butt pad installed rifle, is cut back the inch or slightly more to maintain the same length.

You can see in the catalogue page above the two rifles with whatever butt end you wished to order.
That does not mean that you cannot install a pad I personall like a longer butt at six foor seven I really like the long butt on mt lee's
Cheers
TerryinVictoria

---------- Post added at 11:22 AM ---------- Previous post was at 11:15 AM ----------

Lou here is a pic of the Parker Hale sporters. They are not exactly side by side the non butt pad rifle is slightly behind the butt pad rifle but you can see that they cut back the butt pad stock to make them the same overall length.


Regards
TerryinVictoria