AyA Aguirre y Aranzabal No. 4 Boxlock 20 GA SXS Side-by-Side Shotgun, 1980
FOR SALE: $4,500
Make: Aguirre y Aranzabal (AyA)
Model: Number 4
Serial Number: 552355
Year of Manufacture: 1980 (Z1 date code), shipped October, 1980 per AyA
Gauge: 20 Gauge, 2 3/4″ & 3″ Shells
Action Type: Double Barrel Boxlock Shotgun with Ejectors & Dual Triggers
Markings: The top of the barrel is marked “AYA – AGUIRRE & ARANZABAL – MADE IN SPAIN” The top of the left barrel is marked “INTERARMS / 10 PRINCE ST. ALEXANDRIA, VIRGINIA 22313”, “15.8” is marked on the bottom of each barrel with the left “*”, the right “***” and “M/F”. The barrel flats have the AYA proof and logo “552355”, “Z*1” date code, “MAGNUM” and with a series of Spanish proofs. The top of the forend iron is marked “552355”, the top of the forend is stamped “552355”. The water table is marked with a series of Spanish proofs, the AYA logo, “MAGNUM” and “552355”. The guard is marked “552355”. Each side of the receiver is marked “AYA AGUIRRE & ARANZABAL”. The receiver has light scroll and border engraving.
Barrel Length: 28”
Choke: Left:Full, Right: Modified, both fixed.
Sights / Optics: There is a brass bead at the front of the rib.
Weight: 5 lb., 15.3 oz.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The stocks are two-piece checkered walnut with splinter forend, straight grip, straight comb, silver-colored initial plate inlet to the belly, and checkered bare butt. The stocks have light handling wear with some scattered light compressions, scuffs and scratches, areas of thinning finish from handling, and a short, thin crack on the right-rear of the forend. The checkering is well defined. The LOP measures approximatley 14 1/2″ and 13 5/8″ from the fronts of the triggers to the back of the butt. Drop at comb is approximately 1 1/2″, drop at heel 2 3/8″. The cast is slightly off (to the right). Overall, the stocks are in about Very Good-plus condition.
Type of Finish: Case Color and Blue
Finish Originality: Original
Bore Condition: The bores are Bright. There is no erosion.
Overall Condition: This shotgun retains about 93% of its metal finish. The finish is thinning lightly at most edges. The barrels have scattered light nicks, scuffs and minor scratches with minor wear from the forend, concealed when assembled. The case color is generally strong, muted at the bottom edges of the receiver. The guard has scattered minor wear. The screw heads range from sharp to very lightly tool marked with strong slots. The markings are clear. Overall, this shotgun is in about Very Good-plus condition.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly including ejectors. The safety returns to safe when the action is opened. The barrels lock up to the receiver with no play. We have not fired this shotgun. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance standards.
Box, Paperwork & Accessories: This shotgun comes in a non-matching cardboard Churchill box. The box shows light-moderate wear, in about Good condition.
Our Assessment: The Eibar region of Spain has long been a center of arms manufacture in the region. While there has long been a large range in quality, since the 1950s Aguirre y Aranzabal has been recognized as the best of the “Best” in Spanish shotguns, rivalling even the British “Best” gun makers such as Holland & Holland and Westley Richards. The No. 4 is their flagship boxlock model, patterned on a Westley Richards. We have confirmed with AyA that this shotgun was produced in 1980 in its present configuration, a 20 gauge with 28″ barrels. Choked Full and Modified with a straight stock and coming in just under 6 pounds, this configuration will make for a fast-handling and versatile gun for hunting and will turn some heads on the range, too. The gun shows signs of light use, but still has great bores and strong mechanics. This is a beautiful shotgun made by one of the finest gunmakers in the world and will take a prized place in any hunter’s collection. Please see our photos and good luck!
Full Photo Set: https://photos.google.com/share/AF1QipNZn5nfLPgyDIXLCFi5Xm1YTUwHBrfIKyUHIG7LVGehya7a0I-HnlAex9dX5HjEnQ?key=V01kbVBLOE9sV25jQjBpZDN6cFZtbTJPY0I2Wk1B