Nope Ted, educated is the appropriate term. I owned that gun for several years and knew virtually nothing about it until you shared your knowledge. I had spent some time searching for information on that shotgun and had come up empty handed. Credit where credit's due.
I also wasn't familiar with the Grade II Ugartechea guns, and was a little surprised at the difference between it and the used Falcon that Lion Country had. If you look at the close-up photo of the action, it is easy to see it is not as nicely finished or engraved as the earlier Falcon model. The checkering is cut checkering, but poorly executed. I prefer the color case hardening too. I have to wonder, if the level of fit and finish on the outside has declined that much, can the same be said about the insides? This is what another guy had to say about that on Shotgun World, comparing a Falcon to a Grade I:
"I have owned and own a few other Ugartechea boxlocks. There is no doubt in my mind more work went into the Falcons than the model 30, 40 or the present day Grade I.
Better fit and finish; 22 lpi checkering and more engraving. Plus, it has the third lockup in the breech face, dropped by Ugartechea and other makers, after about 1986 as a cost savings."
Some folks don't like to buy used guns, but I would consider a good lightly used Falcon at a fraction of the price of the brand new Grade II. I've seen a number of nice ones on Gunbroker selling for $400-$1000. I feel lucky about the price I paid for mine, and I was lucky enough to get one with above average figure in the wood.
