Price played little to no reason, slim-the models 97 and model 12 were never a cheap guns, and many imported doubles, especially from Belgium, were actually cheaper.
The only non-sense would be looking for a gunsmith to re-lay a double rib anywhere in the world that the English politely called "colonial areas" remembering they steered customers into boxlocks toward that use.
Serious shotgunners from the era had a bit of a "lean" look about them, jOe. What do you know about that? Subsistance living doesn't appear to be an area of expertise for you, looking at those love handles you sport. Jelly donut franchises were uncommon.
By 1915, just three years into the model 12s 51 year first life, about 110,000 of them had been built. That number looks a lot like many American double gun manufacturers total production. A few English companys haven't built that many guns yet.
Pumps, even duck boat pumps, really don't jam that often. Autoloaders are different. 16 gauge model 12s are notorious for wanting the correct length ammunition, but, when one of my pumps acts up, it's dirty, or, more likely, operator error.
Best,
Ted
