Now that they're in the $3000 area, there are thousands of old and new doubles available in that range, for my taste. And many appealing ones for less.
OK. this is what Jim actually said for real. NOwhere was the word "bargain" used nor any mention of how good a deal it was. that came later with your reference to how good a deal a $3k gold label was because they sold for more. that's why i said your post said an entirely different thing from what Jim said. and it's still an entirely different thing.
as to intrinsically, each person has to figure that out for himself. example: i once had a very nice BSW box lock. double triggers, splinter f/e, extractors, quite decent wood, xlnt + condition, case hardened, about 50% coverage engraving, tight as a tick. i think it set me back around $1300. at the same time, i could have gotten a bog standard bottom of the line m21 with wood off a skid and no engraving for about 2.5x that amount. or there was also on the rack a parker (i forget the grade) that was essentially identical in features, remaining finish and even less engraving that i think was pushing $5k (i thought overpriced but it sold a short time thereafter so who knows).
now, between the 3 guns, to me the BSW was INTRINSICALLY superior. far better looking (subjective), more remaining finish than the winchester (not subjective) and really was quite the equal of the parker in just how well it was finished out and engraved and real close in wood (maybe a skosh better) but was 1/4 the money. and i guarantee it'd last just as long as either oof the other 2 w/ proper care and attention.
INTRINSICALLY means "buy the gun/not the name" which gets bandied about a lot but nobody ever does it. the parker and the 21 were higher because they were a parker and a 21. not because they were intrinsically better guns in any way, form or fashion. except later resale value but if that's one's primary criteria in buying a gun, that's a pretty shallow depth of field.
each shooter has to figure it out for himself, what's important and what he'll pay for and what's worth the investment to him. mostly what i see is buy the name and not the gun.
roger