Yeah, there are some wonderful experts here who know better, and there's always one guy in every company (who's a little off) that makes a point of arguing the issues that would be irrelavent in a slightly out-of-focus photo.
RIGHT! Because after all, living history is always done in slightly out-of-focus, still photography! :shocked2:
WAIT..., no it isn't..., it's done live, hence the term "living history"....
Pedersoli makes good shooting guns that are also pretty. They hold up very well when maintained, as there are some that are still going strong after many decades. As they are mass produced, they do have quality control issues from time to time. This is true of many different products out there that are mass produced. The often heard claim that they "hold their value" is a bit spurious, because of the regular appearance of older Bess for sale used... you will only get about 1/2 the price of a new one if you need to suddenly sell off a recently purchased Bess.
No question that if you get one (or even a used Japanese Bess) you will not be turned away at an F&I nor AWI event, and will even be welcome at an 1812 event. I have one myself. I wish I had bought a Pedersoli Charleville when I had the chance 20 years ago. They also are durable, well put together, and shoot well.
The debate about appearance, and it's simply that... appearance... is when people make the ill informed claim that the Pedersoli Bess is an "authentic copy".
Such a debate has zero impact on it's shooting, or the quality of its manufacturing.
LD