I respect that everyone has the right to a different opinion, and for not wanting to be viewed at antagonistic or even arrogant, I would just like to explain my position on the subject of bolted safeties.

If I was having a new "Bespoke", "Deluxe" or "Best quality" double rifle made by Holland & Holland, J.Purdey or Hartmann & Weiss (as a dealer...more than a hunter) then I would request a bolted safety amongst other things, including sling swivels, flip over front sight with removable sight cover, articulated triggers, rolled edged trigger guards, side clips, etc etc

The same applies if I am buying a used best gun for resale, I would like to see that there is a bolted safety present.

I would request it, or desire it, not particularly because I am a big fan of them, as NitroX perfectly points out there is no need for a safety on a safety, but because when you come to sell a double rifle its a bit like selling a car. All the extras count, and if something is not included then there is always a cause for discussion which usually ends with a reduction of price. One thing is for sure, I have never been offered more for a rifle because it does not have a bolted safety.

On a number of occasions I have bought a double rifle where the bolted safety was missing because the owner rightly or wrongly chose to remove it, even though one was fitted from new. Usually I find them packed somewhere in the case, so I always get them refitted prior to resale.

I have never removed a bolted safety to sell a rifle. However, when there is no bolted safety present, I have often heard clients comment that its a shame the rifle was not fitted with one from new.

In conclusion...personally I am not a fan of bolted safeties, (no doubt a few of you here will be very pleased to hear that) but I am a fan of air conditioning, electric windows, SIPS, ABS, and automatic gears as standard and I would never buy a new Bentley with a manual gearbox, but I could live without the gold plated grill and wheels!