IMO, at least one gun can be found that suits any of the proposed scenarios. Business need was the driver for how makers supplied guns. Boxlocks were not generally in vogue. It was more or less socially necessary among the upper crust social groups to be in fashion. London built sidelocks were the peak of fashion. IMO, a good many shooters would have been ahead by ordering best work boxlocks rather than sidelocks.

DDA