OWD
Relax, no one is belittling English guns.
You are comparing unlike items. A top grade Ideal will set you back as much if not more than a Purdey. The Ideals in the 3000 to 5000 Euro range are the middle grades and they outsell average condition English guns, including Purdeys, this is my experience.
Guns that need to be sent back to the makers for even minor jobs are not popular. The reason is simple- the mandatory export license to send, an import license to receive, the airline premium because it is a gun, the imposition of a licensed broker to deal with the arrangement. Sending a Purdey from let's say Venice to London and back can add up to 1000 Euro plus weeks of waiting for the permits. Add the prices for any "best" work and it starts to look like a liability. Last time I looked Purdey was charging 200 pounds for a simple service.
People tend to prefer more robust guns that can be serviced locally, yet offer the balance and handling that rivals (some say surpass) anything English. An Ideal can be serviced by any competent gunsmith, just count the screws on one and see why.
