doublegunshop.com - home Forums Thread Like Summary - What's the least expensive "best gun"?

My latest V. Bernadelli S. Uberto I imported by Charles Daly has only whetted my appetite for a true "best gun". But yesterday, shooting with Bladeswitcher, I became envious of his Webley and Scott boxlock English gun, which is a very nice gun, but even his Webley is not a "best gun".

What I want, is a sound, attractive, used "best gun" , that is:

1. A sidelock

2. Made to very high, hand made standards

3. Is a light game gun of approximately six and a half pounds, or slightly more.

4. Made in the pattern of the best English sidelock "best guns" from Purdey, Holland and Holland, or Boss.

5. Cosmetic flaws are acceptable, so long as they don't detract from the overall experience of owning a true "best gun".

What's the lowest price of entry into the realm of a true "best gun"?

To further the discussion, what are the price and quality differences of examples of a good, sound, used sidelock "best gun" from the U.K., Spain, and Italy, or anyplace else in the world a true "best gun" would come from?

Any opinions of what I should look for, would be much appreciated.

There is a lot of wisdom on this thread. I think most of us on this forum are of a like mind in respect of appreciation and admiration of a man's best effort put forth in the production of a firearm. Those of us who own them choose to do so not to gloat and not because we shoot them better than a lesser effort of craftsmanship, but for the satisfaction they bring in handling and operation. Our families and friends have no appreciation for the 700+ hours of hand effort that was/is required to produce a best gun and we are forced to the Internet to find like minded individuals who know and share our affliction. We are fortunate to have a forum such as this and the freedom to exchange ideas that it affords.