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Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 381 Likes: 2
Sidelock
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OP
Sidelock
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 381 Likes: 2 |
....when they're not. An English Best is rather simple to define. How do some call a Birmingham boxlock, like an Evans, "a Best"? Or a BLNE, "A Best"?
An English Best Gun is that for a set of reasons; certain features and workmanship. Not spin. It is what it is. All the rest, are not "bests".
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Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 2,278 Likes: 531
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 2,278 Likes: 531 |
And who might you be..the new Lowell Glenthorne? I suppose you're one of those that believe that a best gun can only be made in England..or if thats not enough, it has to be made in London, England to be labeled as a best??
Last edited by LeFusil; 02/14/10 10:13 PM.
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Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 7,749 Likes: 500
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 7,749 Likes: 500 |
Best is almost always these days used as a hype by a seller. Most who use it have no real notion what is and what is not a best gun. Some think old with a little engraving makes any gun a Best. Some seem to think every makers top grade is a Best gun. Not the case in all but the fewest makers. To me a Best gun in poor condition is a thing to be avoided as a endless money pit to make right.
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Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 890
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 890 |
"Best" means "Bespoke" means "made to order" means "without caution as to price". "Off the shelf" means just that. "Best" gets stretched alot when its a low end gun from a "best maker"
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Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 5,257
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 5,257 |
The term "Best" is often confused with tarted up today. In the day when few could afford the most outstanding product of any artisan, craftsman or otherwise superbly skilled workmen, the best that they could produce was their"Best". When money was no hindrance, a man would call upon a maker to provide his best effort to certain specifications. Materials, workmanship, design, fit and finish were expected. This was true in the tailoring of a suit of clothes, silver for the table, a vehicle (conveyance) and even the breeding of his dogs and horses. Not many of us, today, could command a best effort from the high end marques. We might settle for what remains of the glory days, when a man could, and did, produce with tools and hand, a product that would last a life time and more, to several generations. It is not ornamentation that makes something a "Best". It is the design, and skill in executing a superior design, coupled with the most outstanding materials of that day. Best, John
Humble member of the League of Extraodinary Gentlemen (LEG). Joined 14 March, 2006. Member #1.
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Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 1,601 Likes: 14
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 1,601 Likes: 14 |
Very well said Mr. Mann, (Epitome of LEG)
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Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 531 Likes: 18
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 531 Likes: 18 |
Mr. Rowley, What "features and workmanship" constitute "Best"?
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Joined: May 2008
Posts: 68 Likes: 7
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 68 Likes: 7 |
The term "best" had a meaning in an earlier era when there was a general consensus as to what was superlative in human character, art, literature and craftsmanship. In a time when folks think that beauty is in the eye of the beholder... "best" is best left undefined.
J.K.B. von Falkenhorst
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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 will continue to call my WW Greener 16g as being "best" despite it is nothing but BLNE. The reason is I have been informed by the current Mr Greener that it was the best grade available at the time of its making, back in 1880s (it was in the works for three years). Any objections? With kind regards, Jani
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Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 3,774 Likes: 1
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 3,774 Likes: 1 |
WWGreener made the Best boxlock, but it was Exibition Grade gun. Its worth 120 pounds in 1900. The same with "Grand Russe" Lebeau-Courally boxlock. A&D action, Sir J.Witworth barrels made by the best English barrel men, its worth more, than SLE of the same maker.
Geno.
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