"there are people out there who want a gun that looks and feels (and is) a classic Brit double"
True, and the challenge is can this be made at a competitive price, because "made in England" is not enough on an unknown make.
I believe that technically it is possible to make a fine balanced SXS on a trigger plate action for less than 5000 USD. Practically it is not because as the new makers approach shows, they bank disproportinately on the "made in" tag and not enough on the actual object.
I will risk some flaming and say that if the balance, handling and mechanical quality are the only criteria, and we leave out fine wood and engraving and some other obsessions, then a fine handling double can even be made to sell for less than 3000 US. Doable but difficult when advertising is visual and the qualities of such a gun mostly tactile.
