I have always assumed that the "base" color on L C Smiths is grey, and the blues looked to be "over" the grey. Proper English colors always looked to have a predominant grey as well. I could be totally wrong about that, though.
SRH
Good example. I'd agree about LCs, as the grey allows the browns to stand out and contrast with the blues. I tend to think of English colors being more subdued, due to a blue base, Spanish coloring as well. One of the more eclectic patterns is found on Syracuse guns, somewhat similar to LCs with a grey base and vivid browns, but with pinks and reds thrown in.
All should be vivid, and many examples of current coloring out there seems to be "muddy", which I suspect was not the way it was originally. The Italians appear to be successful in creating vivid colors, evidenced by colors on their modern repros.
