8-b, part of my point is that the Purdey Sporter has, indeed, the handling numbers of a bevy of guns well thought of as pigeon and sporting guns. I had suspected it might be a light pigeon gun (average of 21 light pigeon guns: 12 bore, 29" bbls, 14 3/4" LOP, 7# 3 1/2 oz, 4 5/8" balance, 1.67 unmounted swing, 7.46 mounted swing, 10.35 compactness). Clearly, it is not this pattern. It is heavier and has higher swing efforts.
I don't know where the H&H Sporter comes from, but I think we have a pretty clear picture of where the Purdey is "birthed." Considering modern steels and machinery, many places can make quality gun parts. Few, however, have mastered the last stroke of the file, stone, and burnisher.
