I entirely agree that 'best' doesn't have to include 'bells and whistles'. Lets also not forget that a 'best' can be a boxlock or a trigger plate (certainly in my view). In the extreme, a plain non-ejector boxlock of exemplary workmanship and material quality could be described as 'best'.
There are best quality boxlocks (e.g. Westley Richards for one) and trigger plates (e.g. Dickson) in which the barrels, workmanship and attention to detail would match their best sidelocks. The end result may have a lower price tag, but in my view, its no less a 'best' gun simply because its a less complex item. It has still been built to 'best' workmanship quality and materials standards where no corners have been cut in the execution.
Last edited by JohnfromUK; 06/28/13 01:31 AM.
