Armas Garbi / William Larkin W.L. Moore No. 103(A) 103-A, Engraved Blue & Case Colored 26” Side by Side 28 Ga. SXS Fine European Shotgun, MFD 1981

SOLD FOR: $4,015

LSB#: 160205JC07

Make: Armas Garbi, Imported by W.L. Moore

Model: 103(A) Pigeon / Waterfowl gun

Serial Number: 14356

Year of Manufacture: 1981 (A2 Date Code)

Gauge: 28 2 ¾”

Action Type: Side by Side, Box-Lock, Double Non-Selective Trigger Shotgun with Ejectors.

Markings: The barrel rib is marked “W.L. MOORE WESTLAKEVLE, LA. ARMAS GARBI EIBAR SPAIN No.103(A)”. The underside of the left barrel is marked with circled “A”, two stars, a lightly struck proof and “13.8”, the underside of the right barrel is marked circled “A” and “J”, with two stars and “13.8”. The underside flat is marked “28” in oval, “RTO” (twice), “A*2”, three proofs on either side of the barrels, “1000k p/cm2 / 1050gmos / G.A. 14366”. The forend underside is marked “14356”, The underside of the frame is marked “ARMAS GARBI / EIBAR”, The water table is marked “28” in oval, “RTO” (twice), Garbi’s logo, three proof marks and “G.A. 14356”. The lower ‘long’ tang is marked with the serial number. The case colored and blued components have fine scroll and rosette pattern ‘Purdy-style’ engraving, please see the pictures.

Barrel Length: 26”

Choke: Right barrel: Full (0.530”), Left barrel: Extra Full (0.520”)

Sights / Optics: This shotgun is mounted with a steel bead, screwed into the smooth concave solid rib.

Stock Configuration & Condition: The stocks are dark Turkish walnut stocks with a splinter forend and strait English wrist butt stock; the butt stock is cast-off for right handed shooters. The underside of the forend has a cluster of compression marks, portions of the checkers are lightly dulled from handling. The butt stock shows a thin unfilled crack at the upper tang with lighter marks on the surfaces; there are a few compression marks on the comb and in the top portions of the wrap-around checkering. The heel shows a few scuffs and marks. The drop at comb is about 1 7/16”, the drop at heel is 2 ¼”. The LOP measures 13 3/8” from the front of the rear trigger to the back of the stock and 14 ¼” from the front of the forward trigger to the back of the stock; the back of the stock is checkered and shows some scattered marks and portions of incomplete checker lines, as it left the factory. The stocks rate in about Fine overall condition.

Type of Finish: Blued & Case Colored with Gold Filled “S” (safety indicator).

Finish Originality: Factory Original

Bore Condition: The bores are bright. There is very shallow frosting in the bore.

Overall Condition: This shotgun retains about 96% of its metal finish. The balance of the finish shows light marks on the barrel set, most of which which go unnoticed until close inspection. There are shallow scuffs on the frame, again, in light form, some areas have tooling marks from the engraver. The top of the barrel release lever and safety selector have finish thinning from normal handling. The screw heads are sharp. The markings are crisp. Overall, this shotgun rates in about Fine Plus condition and would rate higher but for the small crack in the butt stock at the upper tang and light frost in the barrel.

Mechanics: The action functions correctly. The shotgun has double non-selectable triggers, an auto-safety and ejectors. The shotgun weighs about 5lbs 11oz. 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: None

Our Assessment: This is a spectacular Spanish made, W.L. Moore imported Armas Garbi Model No. 103(A) with highly detailed engraving, brilliantly colored case coloring and a quick sighting, well balanced design. The butt stock shows a small shallow un-filled crack at the upper tang, with some scattered light marks and a few compressions on the underside of the forend and on the comb. The bores have some very shallow frosting but are bright. The shotgun is set up with full and extra full fixed chokes on the 26” barrel, which should make for a great pigeon and water foul setup. Please see our pictures and good luck.