Here's what I get from a review of the "Spanish not so best" thread:
Kyrie points out that there were Spanish gunmakers who were active in the late 19th century. They continued to make guns well into the 20th century (although, like many English gunmakers, most of them are now out of business). I don't think anyone disagrees with that.
He also seems to imply that there are a lot of those guns around . . . but, apparently, all still in Spain. Seems odd that someone with such an interest in fine Spanish guns can't produce photos of even one with pre-WWI proofmarks that has made it to this side of the Atlantic. We know it's not illegal to export guns from Spain. Wouldn't Spanish collectors be interested in bringing back some examples of the trade, from the same period as so many of the British doubles that we see in regular use on this side of the pond? Spanish guns with Damascus barrels, with underlevers, maybe with different bolting systems and different actions than the British used? Where are the articles in Double Gun Journal on these guns--which I'm sure Dan Cote would be more than happy to publish, since it's a subject that hasn't received much ink to this point? Maybe no ink at all? I can't recall reading anything on turn of the century Spanish guns, nor of having seen any pictures. And I've received every issue of DGJ since the beginning.
Which, given the current role of Spain as a major supplier of modern side by sides here in the States, seems like a very odd omission.
