I don't know the purpose of the notch either, but if you Google Alexander Henry Rifle you'll find some really wonderful 19th Century rifles with the little notch
in the fore end. I understand old Al made rifles for the Royals so it might just be for looks. He also came up with the rifling pattern for the Martini-Henrys IIRC.
'Four legs good, two legs baaaad."
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"Jimmy, some of it's magic,
Some of it's tragic,
But I had a good life all the way."
(Jimmy Buffett)
SotG
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