Shotgunlover, the debate comes in the initial definition of "best", which required that best guns had to be sidelocks. It can be argued that in some ways, boxlocks also have advantages over sidelocks. As for Mr. Garwood, he tended to give praise where he thought it belonged rather than going with "tradition". Re fretted barrels, as seen on French guns, Thomas wrote:
"With resleeving now thoroughly established, it seems remarkable that no British firm has adopted the fretted barrel, with its possibilities for combining greater strength with a reduction in the cost of producing double guns." So, if monobloock/fretted barrels have superior strength, should we not then be talking about them as belonging on a "best" rather than chopper lump? After all, one can do some nice engraving to pretty up the joint.
And I may be missing something on Lancaster, but my sidelock 12 (not a 12/20) carries London proofs and a London address. Lancaster was always a London firm, even after it was acquired and eventually became part of Atkin, Grant and Lang. I wouldn't doubt that Lancaster, like many London makers, had boxlocks made for them in Birmingham. But I've seen 12/20 sidelocks, and always thought they were London guns.
Last edited by L. Brown; 06/28/13 07:56 PM.
