Same argument as is now being presented about the Hawken rifle during the exploration of western America. Review of the actual diaries and journals of the explorers of that region never mentioned the superiority of the Hawken rifle over other builders. It was only after this period in the 1880's and 1890's that praise is recorded, whereas contemporary accounts praise other builders.
In 1845 during the John C. Fremont expedition, for example, rifles built by Joseph Cooper of New York were given away as prizes to the best shots of the expedition over Hawken rifles that were also purchased for the expedition. There is also high praise given in contemporary accounts of the rifles built by Joseph Manton or Dickson & Gilmore as well as other makers, whereas, again, no such contemporary praise can be found specifically mentioning the Hawken rifle.
It seems we have possibly the same or a much more complicated situation here.
