Originally Posted By: Lowell Glenthorne
Barrels are the first thing that comes to mind for me. Well struck and lively throughout the entire lenght, nicely finished and perfectly blacken. Chopper-lump and lump-not-through too!


I agree that fine barrels are a necessary condition. If the barrels are not well-struck and blacked it puts the gun out of the running from the get-go.

Further, perhaps Gough Thomas was on to something when he spoke of some guns as being "eumatic." They just have to look AND feel right. The enquiry continues...