Jon, is it possible the often ebullient, extremely-extravagant-with-words Americans tend to downrate themselves when it comes to shotguns? I'm common as a user but handled great guns here and overseas.

How much of "best" is embellishment, prestige and means to own one? For purpose, balance and looks I'd pull out my 16ga Parker1889 hammer (and maybe my 1925 "benchmark" 12ga Sterly) before an overseas best.

Didn't Michael McIntosh say so!