Shotgunjones makes some sound points:

"Rich Cole sent me a hammer, and it dropped right in."

"The Italian gun makers... tooled up for CNC volume production at just the right time with sound and serviceable designs."

"I currently have 5 PB's... I can keep them running without 'returning them to the maker'."

I would add that the top English makers also went over to CNC, but the benefits were not passed on to the clients.

Service by the maker sounds cute but expensive. Ten thousand dollars for a restock, more for a new pair of barrels and the gun must travel to the maker and stay there for months.

Sending guns to the maker, across international frontiers is a major project. Within the "common market" of the EU a return to the maker across borders requires four import-export permits, each one needing applications, fees and time.

Owner, or at least local gunsmith, serviceability trumps quaintness every time.