I think some of the best values in firearms today are well-made European "guild" guns from Birmingham, the Suhl area and St Etienne. Where in the later decades a few large manufacturers pumped out barrels and actions for small alleyway shops and country gunmakers to buy, stock, fit and finish, many of them ultimately unsigned and unmarked except for the proofs.
They may not have the prestige of the more upscale towns and big names, but the quality is there. And they still can be had often for under $500 and will probably appreciate dramatically by the time your descendants have them appraised. If you are addicted to Parker and Philadelphia-Fox quality, these can easily meet or exceed those for a fraction of the price in a lighter, better-handling upland gun package to boot.
Catch the Pound at the right time and there are no shortage of provincial gun dealers where the good buys are, well versed in selling to Americans.
http://www.guntrader.co.uk/http://www.ukgunroom.com/Or better still hunt locally for the occasional top value right here. You can tell by the lever the high-detail little Suhl gun with side clips and cocking indicators below is probably still tight, the barrels aren't cut and the cracked stock is an easy fix. It sold for $211.00 last week on Gunbroker.
http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=216892455
