IMO, the earlier guns were so far better fit and finished that is was part of the reason for the "forced sale" by Ansley. He was simply producing guns of such high quality and finish that the prices at which they were being sold would not allow profit margins. Ansley Fox was so determined to produce the "finest gun in the world", and sell them at a price the average man could afford, that he simply could not stay in business. Perfectionist? Yes. Astute businessman? Maybe not. When the successive owners took charge, the finish work gradually, but assuredly, declined ....... to save in labor costs.
The quality of the insides never changed much, if any at all.
SRH