Grouse Guy, I've heard much the same story you posted. As for the drop in price on the Valiers, they simply haven't been selling. Why? Well, when the Turks haven't yet established a track record for guns in that price range, why would someone spend more on a Turkish sidelock than something like an AyA #2?
And the original Hatfield doubles weren't really American-made. They were built using Italian actions and barrels, then stocked with curly maple at the old Hatfield operation down in Missouri--same company that made black powder rifles.
