Ted says it nicely: "My "gee-wiz" era is much behind me, I'm afraid. My preference is toward a sound A&D boxlock, sans ejectors, or single triggers of any type."
My purchase of the WR was from a time before I saw the wisdom of the above words. Simplicity has definite advantages. I loved the looks and still do. But wish it were a simpler and more repairable mechanism.
Over the years I realised that a premium is levied on those with a passion, and it just happens that the gunmaking fraternity tend to be a little heavy handed when compared with others also catering to passions.
We warble about the hand finish and polishing etc. Both the Hasselbland and the Ferrari engine have plenty of both, and they cost a fraction of a gun weight for weight. We have to admit at some point that gumakers see us coming.
And to relate this to the original post. There are many excellent British (if you insist) boxlocks that offer quality to spare at reasonable prices. One overlooked gun, that is still available at low prices is the BSA boxlock. It has dovetailed chopper lump barrels (ie true demiblock), a split bottom cover, above average internal finish and goes for less than 1000 dollars in auctions. IT does not have a name, nor artist engraving. Interestingly it has really fine action sculpting, which is apparently not yet in vogue. I wonder how long it will be before the "collectors" discover the virtues of the BSA and prices reflect the discovery.
