Bartlett,
My point is that sometimes what we think as a best finish is not over and above what many of the 'provincial' gunmakers achieved.
The name on the gun, be it London, Birmingham, or Provincial, has nothing to do with the gun's Original Quality grade. Each gun must be judged independent of maker's/vendor's name.
Often they provided the guns in white for who we consider to have produced the 'best ' guns.
Best guns were often/usually something of a trade effort.
It is not uncommon to see a 'provincial' gun that equals a 'best' gun in every way but is disregarded without the high grade name behind it.
The name has value, but does not affect the OQ of the gun. It is a common mistake to try to judge gun grade based on maker's name. It doesn't work because most/all (with the possible exception of Boss) sold a wide variety of gun grades. Purdey's sold boxlocks and Midland sold some magnificent best work SLE's. For grade, the gun must stand on it's own.
