Like other of the American "classics," Smiths were well made field guns; not necessarily fine, but well made nonetheless. Also like the other classics, and this may be what really defines a classic, the factory had the ability to finish and embellish their guns to an incredible level if you had the coin.
Smiths take some flak for wanting to split the wood behind the locks, and for their single trigger. That said, the basic mechanism is tough. It might be worth pointing out that they were enormously popular trap guns; trap guns get used hard but the Smiths had the reputation for being able to stand up to the use.
Whether or not all of that adds up to a quality sidelock is, I suppose, in the eye of the beholder.
