Yes, it was a design flaw. Inadequate wood at the head of the stock
Discussed here, along with some creative fiction from Dave
http://www.16ga.com/forum/viewtopic....er=asc&start=0
My very well used farm implement 12g 1906 No. 00 has no cracks however, nor did my 1906 16g No. 0E, nor did my 1907 16g No. 2E.
My 1908 No. 00E did have a previous repair to the L lower stock finger.