Mick, I see you're taking the "high road" on this. Not every one can come with the bucks for true English collectibles and plus refurbish them after the purchase. In fact, the Merkels and Searcy's offer a good value for the shooter who doesn't care about "collector's" value in a firearm. There are quite a few who just glow just at the mention of their double of choice. It's just pride of ownership and nothing else. The guy who bought my Merkel out from under me just loves the thing and he hasn't fired it since the day he talked me out it. The only times that he's shot it was when I was tweaking it with new sights, new recoil pad and trigger job at the range.