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Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 1,124 Likes: 19
Sidelock
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OP
Sidelock
Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 1,124 Likes: 19 |
What constitutes an English Best? Ive noticed this adjective has been thrown around lately and was curious what the consensus is. Is it wood, engraving, fit and finish or a combination of the three. What you say, ideas, opinions etc.
For me its fit and finish, solid wood with tight straight grain, not so much figure as Ive seen some real turds with highly figured wood. Good balance. Insides smooth and finished and quality hand fit parts. That would be some of my impressions of a Best.
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Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 1,763 Likes: 8
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 1,763 Likes: 8 |
I have a couple candidates. One is H&H Royal Ejector which I will leave without comment. The other one is more tricky, being a WW Greener from the 1880s. This one is Box Lock without Ejector, not a likely candidate for English Best. But a letter from the present Mr. Greener confirmed that it was in the works for three years and represents the Best of that time. So English Best could be more that one thing I would say.
With kind regards, Jani
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Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 1,625 Likes: 73
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 1,625 Likes: 73 |
I think you are correct in your assumption of a "Best"grade gun. Many maker's made what they described as a "Best" grade of their guns. But many only think of an English gun "Best" as being from the big three, Purdey, Boss and Holland. I have a Henry Atkin Spring Opener that is as much as a "Best" quality as the big three ever made.
Mike Proctor
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Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 1,124 Likes: 19
Sidelock
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OP
Sidelock
Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 1,124 Likes: 19 |
I never felt a name implies Best and reputation helps with that name idea. But as we had seen some of the Best named products were started by the hand of anothers name! Buy the gun, not the name right?
Last edited by RARiddell; 06/16/19 09:57 AM.
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Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 426 Likes: 76
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 426 Likes: 76 |
There are so many interpretations of the term Best. I choose to interpret a best-quality gun as the best that a maker offered for sale, made with the best available components. Thus there is a great similarity in a best gun offered by a lesser-known maker and that offered by a top-tier maker, though the latter could command a much higher price.
Sadly we know little about the individual craftsmen and outworkers who built and fitted the components, and whose talents were probably recognized and respected within their community. We only know the names of the firms that sold the guns, and occasionally these are one and the same.
I agree with the expression buy the gun, not the name, though with human nature, this is easier said than done!
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Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 459 Likes: 12
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 459 Likes: 12 |
I have a Henry Atkin Spring Opener that is as much as a "Best" quality as the big three ever made.
I also have an Atkin Spring Opener (circa 1911 with 28" barrels) and agree that this is right up there with 'the best'. I understand Atkin have only made a total of 400-500 'spring openers' in total. As I'm sure you know, it was the favourite of the late Gough Thomas (Garwood).
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Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 2,966 Likes: 293
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 2,966 Likes: 293 |
You dont get to re-define the term just because it suits you..
The marketplace decided what was best.
Features and developments that evolved, stemming from the competition amongst the major makers, dIstilled the definition of best.
And you can debate whether that feature set is appropriate, but by the logic thats being applied here, I could take an old Colton, and say that it was a best.
Out there doing it best I can.
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Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 1,124 Likes: 19
Sidelock
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OP
Sidelock
Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 1,124 Likes: 19 |
You dont get to re-define the term just because it suits you..
The marketplace decided what was best.
Features and developments that evolved, stemming from the competition amongst the major makers, dIstilled the definition of best.
And you can debate whether that feature set is appropriate, but by the logic thats being applied here, I could take an old Colton, and say that it was a best. Interesting! So lets start from the top, no I am not redefining whats Best to suit my needs, I have no need for a best or currently have anything that can be noted as one. Second what I am implying in my query is what I have read, some from Digs and some from others. I then noticed how the word Best was being used and asked for comments regarding said topic. So now lets look at what you said, so innovation and competition with what the market will pay for such an item is what makes a Best, so yes if you paid through the nose for a beat up Colton that may have a unique feature then by your logic it makes it a BEST! Thanks for your input!
Last edited by RARiddell; 06/16/19 01:16 PM.
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Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 2,966 Likes: 293
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 2,966 Likes: 293 |
I think I'll let the search engine fill in all the blanks for this one.
It's been covered a few times.
Out there doing it best I can.
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Joined: Mar 2016
Posts: 287 Likes: 7
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Mar 2016
Posts: 287 Likes: 7 |
Some guns marketed by big name Best gun makers were certainly second or third rank products. Quite a few gunmakers could provide a gun at the level of quality your pocketbook could afford. I suspect that not all companies self described Best were equal.
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