BrentD Prof. I do have to agree with you about "Beauty is in the eye of the beholder" and then I would disagree with you about that Purdey Snap action thumb leaver bar in wood. It has the smoothest lines of any of the other versions no matter what way you look at it, even Richard Beaumont has said on numerous occasions that the gun's smooth lines design is one of the finest looking guns that Purdey ever made always with the add on "we would gladly make you one" at what cost I ask. I think that this means a lot seeing that Purdey introduced the top leaver opening also. Offering to remake a hundred and fifty year old design exudes a lot of confidence that the design would come up to modern expectations.
Well, maybe if I shot a few rounds of clays or a few birds with it, I'd change my mind. I am certainly willing to give it a fair shake, if someone will lend me one for a year or so.
I think it is just that, having never seen one in the flesh, its striking appearance is unusual to my eye and it takes some getting used to.
I do enjoy the photos, however. Obviously great craftsmanship is never dull, no matter how unusual.