Good points new guy (sorry for the mixup). I wondered the same thing when I bought mine.

I'm not sure about the line of guns that gets imported to the US, but Chapuis in their European line offers the option for "artisanal" version of their guns, not just better wood, engraving and sideplate, which are supposed to have high levels of hand finishing on them. I've heard back and forth about whether this means anything practical advantages. But I don't know myself.

Just some thoughts