Nothing wrong with hunting with a fine condition Parker, L.C. Smith or English "Best" if you have pockets deep enough to own one (or more) and the gun is used properly but NEVER ABUSED. Shooting a nice double in the rain?...probably not my first choice for the smart thing to do even if you're skilled enough to strip the entire gun apart and dry, clean and oil each and every individual part...a lot of work. I've seen the very wealthy "gentlemen" sportsman take a Purdey' out in the Duck boat and bring it back scratched and full of mud! These people do it for their ego and because they can...but I think they're idiots who do all gun lovers and collectors a serious disservice.
When it comes to a factory MINT example of a fine VINTAGE gun, I think the rules that govern our thinking must change. While we all may be shooters, we're also collectors too with a responsibility to act as caretakers of history. So why shoot a "mint" specimen when there's a ton of shooter grade guns available! Back in the 1950's many Sharps Rifles and Colt SAA pistols were cut up and modified to be "modern" shooters. As a result a lot of fine arms with great historical value were destroyed for future collectors to treasure.
Many of my guns are much older than I am now, and with proper care will be here for many more generations to come...assuming McCain is elected and not Obama.
Bottom line: if its survived a 100 years or more in pristine condition, appreciate it for its aesthetic value and shoot something else.
