Guys: Like Chief, I know I didn't dream up the speculation about a British connection. I too read it somewhere (some source I would have trusted as reliable) and, frankly, had assumed it was a known fact and generally accepted among experts. I have a vague recollection that the story went something like this ... Colt, as one of the most famous firearms makers in the world, had a strong desire to go to market quickly (a pet project of a member of the Colt family?) with a fine hammerless shotgun, and turned to Birmingham to make it happen. Engraving, stocking, and maybe even fitting happened stateside, but the actions were built in Birmingham and the barrels in Liege or somewhere. Many assumed the guns were made entirely in Hartford, and Colt made no attempt to set the record straight. Didn't Winchester also briefly wade into the fine doubles market, and do so by outsourcing to England? I know some here can shed more light on the matter, they just haven't come along yet. What do we know about Colt's hammerguns -- where were they built and how many similarities are there? Michael, what do we know about William Mason? Perhaps this damning accusation can be soundly refuted.
