The problem with the one-piece stock on the J5550 was that there was precious little wood at the recoil transfer point at the back of the action. They hacked away a lot of the metal from the 'socket", but had to leave the upper area as this helps align the cocking piece and is the mount for the safety lever etc.

It seems in hindsight (20-20, as always) that a rear "leg" like that on the SKS may have been a better modification of the socket / ferrule. Better strength may also have been acheved by retaining the thread in that "leg and also retaining the stock bolt to reinforce the spindly wrist.

All a bit academically speculative, now.

The idea obviously lived on in Canadaicon, as Ellwood Epps and probably others, did several variants on a light commercial basis post WW2.

Any Canadian members have any of these Epps specials tucked away or in actual use?

Image of a SMLE-based version here:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v1...ps044cf234.jpg