Some (here included, it seems) obviously cannot, or refuse to, grasp the reality of what a "Best" gun originally meant, even though it has been explained more than once in this thread. As aforementioned, when this is discussed, one should go back to the original meaning of the term, which is synonymous with "London best"( because that is where the whole concept began). Certainly it was marketing, with a bit of braggadocio mingled in. But, the quality was there to back up the claim. There were wealthy individuals who could afford to own the "best" that Woodward, Boss, H & H or Purdey could produce, and that's what they wanted.
To attempt to ascribe the characteristics of a "Best gun" to mass produced guns is ludicrous. To even refer to mass produced guns in a thread where the title clearly, and obviously, was referring to the original meaning of the term is ill conceived.
A Browning, a SKB, Sterlingworth or Crescent may be your best gun. That gun may also be the gun with which you can take a limit without a miss, or outshoot the competition with their high $$ guns. And, you may look upon it with fondness, appreciation for what it can do, or sentimentality. It may well be your best gun, but it can never be a "Best", unless it is a "Best gun".
SRH
