there could be no doubt that a modern weaver rail and a claw mount with soldered half rings must have a certain level of quality to work as intended. do you think they represent the same level of quality?
when making the second you have to fit the claw mount by hand disassemble the scope to solder the tube into the halfrings. than you assemble the scope again and proof the sight while shooting it.
disassemble the scope again for blueing the tube +rings and than assemble and finaaaaly ready.

the only other work I would compare it is soldering double rifle barrels - time consuming, expensive, possible making mistakes and start again
unfashionable

anyone from the art's and craft movement http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arts_and_Crafts_movement would have seen the soldered half ring as the highest level