If it were stocked to the fences Joe, it would be a different gun.

One often reads that best sidelocks should be 'stocked to the fences'. In my view this is a reaction to the widespreaed use of the Rogers' action in the first quarter of the 20th Century for lower quality sidelocks made for the Trade. This 'Royal' is no such thing.

Most gunmakers started to copy the 'stocked to the fences' Purdey aesthetic after 1880 because it is indeed very handsome.

However, earlier models by Boss and H&H and many others were not styled in this manner. It is irrelevant and certainly no indication of inferior quality or style.

Last edited by Small Bore; 01/14/09 08:54 AM.
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