Well, here is my breakdown on the American guns.

LC Smith: Simple design and virtually never shoot loose. Best engraving in higher models than any other. Lefever comes a close second in engraving. Like most sidelocks, the LC tends to crack behind the lock plate. Single trigger LC's have even less wood and less strength. As in all guns, the earlier, the better made. Pre-1913 guns are best. The post 1913 guns are available in two weights but neither is as light as I would prefer. The pre 1913 guns are often available in very light weights which are a superb joy to take upland. Tend to crack behind the tangs like other boxlocks.

Lefever: not to be confused with the butt-ugly Ithica-Lefever (Nitro Special). Another fine gun in higher grades. Has the great design feature of a simple screw which tightens action back on face. Beautiful engraving and unbelievable checkering in higher grades. Design had many iterations and difficult to change parts back and forth. Rather more complicated design. Many guns in fine handling weights.

Fox: In a way, it is a box-lock LC. It was often available in lighter upland weights which is a bonus and has led to folks like MM saying kind things about it. Except for the early guns, the Fox had the worst engraving of any American gun.

Ithica: Available in many types with the Flues being rather weak, and the latter NID being strong. Basically, it was meant to be a cheap gun but with more higher grades available. Frankly, it was a boxy, buttugly gun but quite a good shooter. The higher grades had excellent checkering. NID was long lasting.

Parker: The Parker had one feature which really put it above the others. It was available in many more frame sizes than the others which allowed it to be more ergodynamic for more people. I personally love the 0 frame size for 20 & 16 gauges, but to each his own. Decent checkering and engraving but not a match to LC or Lefever. For some reason, they made the drop extremely deep as a rule.

There were also imported guns such as the Chas Daly Lindner and Sauers. Fine guns.

There were also the imported Brit guns (mainly shotguns only since the Brits never understood rifles), but only the Birmingham guns were of any note.

Last edited by Pete; 09/04/07 04:41 PM.