In all of my shooting experiences I have always carried & loaded my own gun. I have never had the benefit of a Gunbearer or Loader. Therefore what Walsingham, or Ripon used or desired means Diddly Squat to me.

As I mentioned all my doubles I have used over the years had top levers. I have absolutely nothing against a top lever. Just from handling this old hammer gun with the left side lever I can see it would be as easy & fast, or more so, to operate as a top lever.

That is all I am saying. To totally condemn one item simply because another is more popular is extremely Shallow & Nearsighted. I could totally enjoy a nice looking gun with a left side opening lever. I do agree this New Beretta is not it, even if the lever was relocated to the other side.

I do not know absolute numbers but I believe A&D boxlocks far outnumber side locks. An A&D is way down my Personal list of desirable guns, its popularity not withstanding. As I have said on several occasions at 80 years of age I am quite old enough to have my own opinions on things.

Miller/TN
I Didn't Say Everything I Said, Yogi Berra