SKB, The Gibbs is indeed tops for elegance. One rifle I wish I'd never sold is a Gibbs 500 3" mint in the original case. Oh well. As for the side hammers, when young, I lusted for a Sharps. I couldn't afford a good one, and so I ended up buying an Alex Henry. It was an eye-opening experience. The Henry handled like a rifle you could actually carry and hunt with. You didn't need a mule-drawn wagon to haul it. I'd rate the 1885 Winchesters up there among the all-time top tier.

Bill Ferguson