Armes de Chasse Armas Gil 20 Ga Sidelock Top-break Side by Side SxS Shotgun
SOLD FOR: $3400
LSB#: 210914BW18
Make: Armes de Chasse, Antonio Gil (Armas Gil)
Model: Sidelock Shotgun
Serial#: 28-03-009-01
Year of Manufacture: Circa 2003
Gauge: 20 Gauge
Action Type: Top-Break Sidelock Dual-Trigger Side by Side Shotgun with Ejectors
Markings: There are two sets of the barrels that come with the shotgun. The first set which is 30” is marked “ARMES DE CHASSE GAME GUN. HARTFORD. NC 27944 No 28” on the top of the left barrel. The bottom of the left barrel is marked with a single star (indicating the barrel is choked full) and “159”. The left barrel’s flat is marked “20-76”, “ARMAS GIL”, features the serial number “28-03-009-01”, has Spanish proof marks and “1200 bar”. The bottom of the right barrel is marked “159” over three stars (indicating the barrel is choked modified). The right barrel’s flat is marked “20-76”, “1198”, has three Spanish proofs and “1200”. The bottom of the barrel lug is marked “28”.
The second set of barrels which is 28” is marked “ARMES DE CHASSE GAME GUN. HARTFORD. NC 27944 No 28” on the top of the left barrel. The bottom of the left barrel is marked with two stars (indicating the barrel is choked improved modified) and “159”. The left barrel’s flat is marked “20-76”, “ARMAS GIL”, features the serial number “28-03-009-01”, has Spanish proof marks and “1200 bar”. The bottom of the right barrel is marked “MG” and “159” over four stars (indicating the barrel is choked improved cylinder). The right barrel’s flat is marked “20-76”, “1114”, has three Spanish proofs and “1200”. The bottom of the barrel lug is marked “28”.
The top of the forend is marked “600” on the wood. The metal parts of the forend have rose and scroll engravings. The receiver and trigger guard are covered in rose and scroll engravings. The water table is marked “20-70”, “ARMAS GIL” and the serial number on the left side. The right side of the water table is marked “20-70” and features three Spanish proofs. The middle of the water table is marked “28”. The bottom tang is marked “No. 009-01”. There is a brass medallion on the belly marked “D”.
Barrel Length: The F/M barrels are 30” and the IM/IC barrels are 28”
Choke: The 30” set of barrels is choked Full on the left and Modified on the right. The 28” set of barrels is choked Improved Modified on the left and Improved Cylinder on the right. All the chokes are fixed.
Weight: 6 pounds, 9 ounces with 30” barrel and 6 pounds, 5.9 ounces with the 28” barrel
Sights/ Optics: The front sight on both barrels is a brass bead at the muzzle end of the rib. The ribs on both sets of barrels are serrated to reduce glare.
Stock Configuration & Condition/ Grip: The stocks are two-piece smooth wood featuring a checkered forend, checkered straight wrist, straight comb, and the rear end of the butt is checkered. The stocks have some light handling marks but they lack any notable defects. There are no chips or cracks. The checkering remains sharp. The LOP is 15” from the front trigger and 14.25” from the back trigger to the rear end of the butt. The approximate drop at the comb is 1.5” and 2.25” at the heel with the 28” barrel and the approximate drop at the comb is 1.5” and 2.25” at the heel with the 30” barrel. Overall, the stocks are in Fine-Excellent condition.
Type of Finish: Blue and Case Color
Finish Originality: Original
Bore Condition: The four bores are all bright and have no erosion.
Overall Condition: The shotgun retains about 98% of its metal finish. The shotgun has some light handling marks on its metal parts but lacks any notable defects, including both sets of barrels. The markings remain clear. The screwheads are serviceable. Overall, the shotgun is in Fine-Excellent condition.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. The receiver features cocking indicators. The shotgun also has a side plate lever on the left side plate which allows the user to remove the side plates. The barrels lock up with no play to the receiver. We have not fired this shotgun. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance standards.
Box Paperwork and Accessories: The shotgun comes in a leather carrying case with green cushioning, two leather straps for securing the case, beige strap, a container for oil, a cleaning rod, a black leather container with the cleaning rod brushes in addition to a set of keys for locking the case, two metal snap caps, two yellow snap caps and four orange snap caps. The case has some light handling marks but it remains in Excellent condition. The leather straps have only light handling marks and remain in Fine condition.
Our Assessment: This Antonio Gil made sidelock top-break side by side 20 gauge shotgun was imported by Armes de Chasse. Determining the exact model is difficult because Antonio Gil shotguns are handmade and often built to customers exact specifications. The shotgun has the rose and scroll engravings typical of the Alhambra and Olimpia models but the receiver is case colored which was a feature unique to the Laga. Our conclusion is that this was likely a custom built gun and not one of the standard Antonio Gil models. The shotgun is aesthetically pleasing with beautiful rose and scroll engravings on the receiver and only minimal handling wear. The shotgun is mechanically sound with features that should appeal to enthusiasts including cocking indicators and a side plate lever. This shotgun is one side by side you do not want to miss out on!