Interesting thread. Canvas has done a magnificent job explaining my charts. I sincerely appreciate his input.

I'll just add a few thoughts. As a background, I started this project some 20 years ago because I couldn't make sense of the double gun market. I, like most supposed that quality and brand name were inseparable. It was a long and hard won learning to find this is just not so. It was jarring to my belief system to learn that any company could get out a best work gun via out-workers; within the trade "best work" was well known and understood. "Best work" had it's price, whether the work was done by in-workers or out-workers. The real trick with best work guns (or any other trade best work product) was to attract the commissions rather than the skill to deliver. It was also a bit of a surprise to discover that guns were actually made by flesh and blood workmen in manufacturies, as opposed to elves in forest cottages.

OK, so lets look at some examples. Lets take three best work SLE's in pristine condition (say the best one or two condition gun(s) of 100 "identical" examples): H&H Royal @ $40,000 (BV1-OQ1-CC1), Lang @ $30,000 (BV2-OQ1-CC1), or Midland @ $20,000 (BV3-OQ1-CC1). Which would you buy? OQ1 says they are all of the same Original Quality and CC1 says they are all in near new condition. The decision point is maker's name.

Same three guns but in differing Current Condition: $21,000 H&H Royal with significent use (BV1-OQ1-CC3), $21,000 Lang with limited use (slight finish wear, little shooting) (BV2-OQ1-CC2), or $20,000 Midland in pristine condition (BV3-OQ1-CC1). Your decision point is now current condition. Which?

Now, $6,200 H&H best work SLE in condition described as, "Shootable but needs expensive repairs or restored with stock and barrels replaced" (BV1-OQ1-CC7), $6,200 Lang "B" grade SLE with condition described as, "Heavy use, but no abuse" (BV2-OQ3-CC4), or $6,000 Midland best work boxlock ejector in pristine condition (BV3-OQ5-CC1). Now your decision point is a combination of Original Quality (including BLE and SLE) and Current Condition. Which?

Yes, it looks like a bit of a game, but follow the logic and I think you will find it useful.

Questions?

DDA