jOe, actually the lock work of the early Syracuse L.C.Smiths and early Fulton to 1897 was as good as any offered here or abroad.

These early bar action hammer guns were actually made very nice, with fine checkering and even the lowest grade, Quality F had engraved screws, plus the price was not cheap at $55.00 in 1886.

Like any gun manufacture, modern times brings changes, and with these changes comes cheaper made guns with fewer lock parts, but still strong and many still in use.

So becasue they are not your cup of tea, they still have their followers.

David