Hey folks, I just got a call from a gunmaker here in my state, a particular frenchman, trained in Belgium. He has been putting an old AJ Aubrey back on face for me. Although his comments started with saying he didn't care much for American guns, he finished with high praise of the Aubrey. Commenting that it was well built and that although there were a few shortcuts, he would have one a hundred times over before having an LC Smith...
That is all, I must now pour a scotch and watch the discussion. Below is a photo of my Model 34 as a visual guide
I suspect your French gunsmith was basing his comments upon the overall design of the Aubrey gun. Mr. Aubrey when designing his namesake gun used extensively design concepts from proven A&D and side locks "works" of the English. He had the benefit of the time frame where pattens were expired and he could design a gun action and barrel lugs for ease of manufacturing as well as suitable and sturdy for the purpose intended.
Since my interest and experience has and is primarily British guns, I had never encountered an Aubrey gun until one of my shooting friends showed me one some time back. I was surprised at the overall design of the gun. Is is a 100 times better than other American guns, in this case a Smith? No, but it must have been an "real" value for the money in its day. What amazed me was the high grade damascus (2 grades) that could be had with the gun, and which without a great deal of trouble(maybe building and fitting a new dovetail barrel lump) for a barrel maker, could be used as a barrel replacement on some English guns.
Bv
