P14 Eddystone stock question

Good afternoon, Not a M17 question, but am interested in hearing your thoughts why P14 Eddystone manufactured rifles have a significantly thicker forend (fatso) with no finger grooves compared to Winchester and Remington rifles. I am thinking there had to be a reason, as from a manufacturing perspective it would have been much simpler to machine finger grooves than manufacture a stock with swelling and then machining a ledge on the lhs for volley sighting. Would welcome your thoughts.
Emu