Please forgive my inexperience but one point I took to heart about Double Rifles is that they should point and fit the shooter well to be effective tools. I really have enjoyed learning about DR and they are more interesting than any other firearm I have picked up! However, to state in that a particular DR is comparable to a Railroad tie seems very snobbish to me. Hell I picked up some English guns (by makers noted in this thread) that felt like railroad ties to me! but I am sure they must fit the user as that would not have made that purchase.

Not having the experience of many of you guys here....not trusting my judgement regarding vintage guns I went ahead and purchased a new DR and I am happy with it. The gun fits me and shoots very well. Possibly one day I may purchase a vintage DR...but I would have to learn much more about them to do it...50 to 100 year old guns and steel used to make them does concern me...I purchase guns to hunt with and I would always be concerned about taking an expensive Vintage DR overseas or getting it beat up...insurance may cover the cost but not replace the "one of a kind" aspect of a Vintage DR...that would be a pisser!