I don't know. I certainly would agree Art Alphin had no aesthetic clue in creating a P17 based rifle (however functionally perfect), but I don't think we should be all that critical of what the Birmingham trade could do with a P14. This C&H is a .318 from between the wars. With its long barrel and lean lines it is as elegant a rifle as sits in the gun room. That said, the 98 is certainly a lot less work when trying to create a well proportioned rifle.
Perhaps because of my age, I also have a weak spot for the Browning Superposed design as built in Belgium. By modern standards, the action is far too deep and a gun is typically as much as a pound too heavy for the bore size. But the Belgian guns were very robust, and all that weight sits cleanly between the hands. As you suggest, I won't own any Browning built during the salt years. I further agree that Browning is now little more than a modern Charles Daly without a master production house like Lindner to build its best guns. It is somewhat amazing the Brand has maintained any cache'.
This is a great thread to maintain or periodically launch. Like
@rookhawk, I too often see things in classified that deserve something other than a positive comment. This is a great way to discuss brands and what to look for or beware of in any previously owned firearm.