The B25 is almost entirely hand-made.
I had one built to my spec, and took delivery last year after a wait of 12 months. Part of the process was a visit to the CustomShop to see the guns being made, select my exhibition wood, meet and talk to the engravers to explain what I wanted - and to view the hundreds of other available options. The trouble is you can keep adding options and end up with a fantastic but very expensive gun!!!
Nearly every process is carried out by hand. The actions are hand shaped after rough machining and the contours / fences cut with chisels, the barrels are brazed and ribs soldered - all by hand. The action and barrels and most of the internal parts are fitted by the lamp black technique. The stocks are fitted using a red ochre to ensure uniform fit. They are then shaped by hand to the customers specs. The stock is then treated to countless coats of a linseed oil and wax based stock treatment - then chequered by hand.
The engraving is entirely hand cut. After all this is carried out the guns are sent for C Case treatment, after they are returned the fit is again checked and finally adjusted - and all the small internal parts hand polished depending on grade.
Believe me everything is hand done apart from the initial rough maching / hogging out. If I wanted to be critical from an engineering point of view not enough is done by machine, and the process could benefit from CNC! BUT you would end up with a gun that has the balance and feel of a Citori and not that of a gun that leaps up and wants to shoot itself.
I do own both types of gun and there is no doubt that Jap built Brownings are fantatsicly put together guns, and at a price almost everyone can afford - but there can never be a direct comparison between the two guns - the Belgium ones have life in them.
Jonty
