I've handled several of the 1878 Colt hammer guns that seemed to have very good dynamics. The 1883 boxlocks on the other hand have seemed rather clubby to me. No fine gun dynamics at all.
I'd say it would be how many angles can dance on the head of a pin whether a Remington Special, a Parker Bros. Invincible, a DeLuxe Grade L.C. Smith, or a Thousand Dollar Grade Lefever is the "best." Obviously the buying public of the time favored the DeLuxe Grade L.C. Smith by a wide margin with 30 sold.
Sneider or Clark & Snieder made some damn fine doubles in Baltimore as did McComas. What about Krider in Philadelphia? or Kirkwood?
In reality the best doubles ever made in America are being turned out by Tony G. right now!!!
