Friends, I have received the following response from my friend on this subject which I am posting here in it's entirety - I am sure that it would help everyone here as we are all definitely on the right track. Good hunting everyone!

Quote

Mehul as you know I joined the nitroexpress.com forum
on your recommedation and use it for entertainment and
to learn - some of the guys on the site have a
fantastic knowledge of double guns and I am always
willing to learn more. Just because I am a dealer does
not mean that I am a world authority on the subject -
I know a lot more than some though. I do not want to
use the site as an advertising media as I feel that to
do so would diminish any contributions I care to make
however if anyone wishes to contact me privately via
you that is fine.
Because of all the above I`d be grateful if you could
post this contribution for me annonomously - in its
entirety if you like.
The comparison between a fine English gun and a
modern American gun - for example - is the same as
comparing a Bentley and a Buick. Both get the job
done, both might have the same performance but the
Bentley has a substantial handbuilt component, fine
leather and premium wood. Detail and hand finishing
are expensive.
I have American clients who own both English doubles
and one or more Searcys. The Searcy is a fine gun and
I really admire the guy for producing something new
and different AND for standing 100% behind his guns.
I`ve handled a couple of Searcys, my clients tell me
that they perform admirably in the field and I am
convinced that at $8,500 there isn`t a finer gun for
the money. Would I buy one ? We have a couple of Jeep
Grand Cherokees which are fine cars.....but I still
covet a Bentley. Make of that what you will.
It is an unfortunate fact that a great many of the
English guns that are exported to the USA - especially
shotguns - are utter crap. Guns that are worn out and
even sometimes out of proof and therefore illegal for
retail in the UK are exported to the USA. Often the
barrels are re-blued, the actions are colour case
hardened and the stocks refinished and a hefty price
tag is put on them. The guns are still worn-out crap
though.
My advice to anyone wanting a used English gun is to
buy it from a reputable dealer - either in the UK, USA
or Australia. There are plenty of them and they all -
like Butch Searcy - stand behind the guns they sell.
Be wary of anything that has been refinished - you`ll
notice that the majority of the top dealers sell their
guns in original condition. Buying `sight unseen` from
an auction is a potential minefield. Auctioneers are
obliged to detail any major faults but that doesn`t
tell the whole story. All guns need to be personally
inspected. If you can`t attend an auction in person
appoint a reputable agent - the fee he charges will be
a hell of a sight less than the costs involved in
putting right a gun with problems.
A fine English ( or French - or Italian ) gun is a
work of art and a joy to own and to use. They are
expensive because of the build quality, the top grade
walnut, the engraving and the amount of hand work that
goes into them. A used gun also has that bit of
history and mystique attached. Take the `Snob value`
away from a best gun and it is still a best gun. If
you want and can afford one fine. If you can`t afford
or don`t want one then get a Searcy or other
contemporary gun. To attack either on the grounds of
cost or functionality is ridiculous
One of the contributors to this topic said something
to the effect that his `Westley Richards has made
history and his Searcy is making history`. Beautifully
put. In fifty year his Searcy will be a better gun
than it is now - fifty years of use and handling will
make the Searcy feel and look better and, who knows,
it might have made some history too. The English gun
will still be around though, will still be beautiful
and will still be eminently useable.

End quote.