Hi Blair,

It was never intended to be elitest. But there have been so many negative posts lately on best British double rifles by people who seemingly have never owned a good one, that I felt I had to make a point about relative value, what you really need to pay to get a good one, and their true merit.

Perhaps ironically, your post helps make my point: you cannot buy a good London double for this sort of price. I know the Merkels well, have always liked them, and would buy such a rifle everytime in preference to an old English double in that price range. I too was where you are at your age, but doubtless when you get to mine, a few insurance policies will have matured, the house will be paid for, and if the kids are fine, I suspect you may well be looking for a nice used English gun too.

As for magic: it is an individual thing, and we all have our own interpretation of it. But magic is as magic does.

Enjoy your new double.

Martin