Eldon: I have had the pleasure of shooting and owning all of the guns that I will mention and would rate them in this order. Parker, Lefever, A.H. Fox, Ithaca, Winchester 21, Remington Whitmore, and last L.C.Smith. Thomas

After 40 years of working on and Restoring Doubles from Savage 311's to Purdys best, my favorite American built shotguns are:
The Parker Boxlock "C" grades, just the right amount of bling and unique features on the best action ever built.
Any graded Parker hammer gun, without rival, wow.
Syracuse Smiths, pure elegance with a simple and reliable design.
Grade 4 Ithicas, the 70 Mustang of the gun world, a pure classic.
Fox "A" grades, affordable style with a unique shootability.
Remington 1894's "E" grade, simply Art with great ejectors.
Baker Paragons, great design, America unapreciated side locks.
"H" grade Lefevers, genius design. The lack of embelishment allows one to apperciate the fabulous mechanism.
The Winchester Model 21 and Olin for his insight and ability to build Americas last great Double.

Brad

Brad, not to hijack the thread, but I'm curious what you think of the British A&D actions in comparison to the Parker?

Ed
I feel that"London Best" guns set the world standard for A&D type actions. The Parker action is the only one that I reguard in the same league.

Brad

My list would be Parker, Ithaca, LC Smith, AH Fox. I love the engraving on these guns. I have a few high grade Ithacas that are just gorgeous and my Parkers also have some of the best engraving I have seen. I am getting too old to shoot any ugly gun. Frank

Thanks to Brad for a thoughtful comment. Parkers C's are also my favorite, and I am fortunate to have a good number and representation of them.

I also appreciate the Lefever, and particularly the E grade, as it is the lowest grade with all the adjustment features as standard. Forearm, trigger pull on each , lever travel and locking bolt extension and main action hinge.

This is an easy one for me, Remington 1894 high grades, like this EEO 16 gauge engraved by the best, Joseph Loy. Guns with just scroll just don't cut it for me, got to have good realistic looking critters.

http://i1276.photobucket.com/albums/...ps0bd61b09.jpg

http://i1276.photobucket.com/albums/...psce9107cd.jpg

http://i1276.photobucket.com/albums/...ps4ec1c44a.jpg

Bill Anderson

I don't look at this issue by brand (maker) I much prefer by firearm. I really enjoying turkey hunting with my old hammered 12 gauge Parker, five stand with my Parker 20 gauge, upland bird hunting with my Fox 16 gauge and trap or bits and pieces shooting with my L.C. Smith SBT.
However depending on the day like to shot my Parker or Ithaca SBT or upland game hunt with one of my other 16 gauge. So you might say I just like to make my "tools" go bang!!!!

I second George on that. Each gun I own is unique

I think my next shotgun will be a small bore Fox. I like the Ithaca's as well and have seen some very nice damascuss barreled ones. However after looking at some of the wonderfull Remington guns shown here I could be persuaded to adopt a nice 16 like Bill showed us. By the way Bill arn't you a long lost family member??:rotf: