This came up in another thread, but I thought it might be worth further discussion. I could be wrong, but I think something like this



would look better than this



But Savage keeps making the latter for models that don't have upper bolt releases. Moreover, these vestigial divots are on both sides of the rifles. If it's a matter consolidating molds and masters, that doesn't really explain why the divots are there but inletting for the upper lever is not on rifles with lower bolt releases. The divot also appears in some aftermarket stocks. User jon326 showed off his Boyd's Tacticool, which has the divot, despite being designed for a lower bolt release gun (11 Trophy Hunter).

So, is it just there as a Savage hallmark or as an understated implication that "with styling this nonsensical it has to shoot well"?