No. 2 | Dogs and Doubles

Auction alert: 12g AYA No. 2, 28″ bbls, No Reserve …

December 12, 2018December 11, 2018 by Gregg

AYA #2 Sidelock SxS Mfg for Orvis 12 ga No Reserve

The decades now, the AYA No. 2 shotgun has been one of the most highly regarded Spanish shotguns on the market (read reviews of the shotgun in American Rifleman and in Shooting Times).

Why? Because it’s a reliable, well-built sidelock shotgun that combines best-gun features like chopper-lump bbls and hand-detachable locks with an affordable price.

The one you see here is on Gunbroker.com now and the listing ends 12/16/2018 @ 8:00 PM. Because it’s listed at No Reserve, it could end up being a steal. Here’s more info about it from the seller:

AYA #2 Sidelock SxS Mfg for Orvis 12 ga No Reserve: From what I understand, this is a number 2. The number one has higher grade wood. Chambered for up to 3-inch magnum shells. Excellent mirror shiny bores, modified and quarter chokes, 28-inch barrels retaining a conservative 96% finish. it appears that there were two sets of barrels for this side-by-side at one time, as indicated by the number 1 on the barrels. we have tried to locate them with no luck so far. The coloring on the receiver is better than 98%, the engraving is beautiful. The trigger guard is thicker on the right side, set up for right-hand shooting. The bottom of the trigger guard is engraved with three letters, the previous owner’s initials. The stock shows only a few very light handling blemishes and would rate 96%. The leather recoil pad is in excellent condition. LOP is 14 inches to the front trigger. On the forend, there is a very small crack that there will be photographs taken of. It appears to be non-structural. If not for that, it would rate 96%. everything is tight, along with lockup being rock solid. A beautiful double with Nice balance. Weighs exactly 7 pounds.

Auction alert: AYA #2 Round Body 16 GA, No reserve …

March 9, 2017March 5, 2017 by Gregg

AYA Aguirre Y Aranizabal #2 Round Body SxS 16 GA Shotgun

For decades now, AyA’s No 2 Grade sidelock shotguns have been one of the best deals in a custom made side-by-side. Introduced in the ’50s, thousands of them have been sold to shooters across Europe and in the US, including famous gunwriter Michael McIntosh, He had one built for him in ’90s, and he shot the crap out of it on trips around the globe. The gun didn’t seem to mind. After around 80,000 rounds, the only thing it required was a new firing pin.

Whoever buys this one will probably have the same kind of luck. It’s on Gunbroker.com now with No Reserve. The listing ends 3/12/2017 @ 9:00 PM.

AYA Aguirre Y Aranizabal #2 Round Body SxS 16 GA Shotgun: Choked MOD/IC. No dings or dents in barrels. Barrels are perfect, very shinny and no pits. Gun has seen very little use and spent its life in a safe. Cocking indicators, double trigger and ejectors. LOP 14 3/4″, DAH 2 1/2″. DAC 1 1/2″. Gun weighs 6lb 6.4oz. No cracks or chips in wood. Beautifully figured wood. A few very light handling marks. All screws are clean and show no sign of screwdriver use.

See the amazing finish on this 100+ year old L.C. Smith No. 2…

January 9, 2016January 17, 2016 by Gregg

L.C. SMITH No. 2 12 GAUGE HAMMERLESS SXS SHOTGUN

Twelve-gauge, L.C. Smith No. 2s are not hard guns find– unless you’re looking for an example with the kind of condition you see here. Hunter Arms made 10,815 of them from 1890-1914, and according to the L.C. Smith Collector’s site, they turned out the one you see here in 1899.

Yeah, 1899. That’s before Ford introduced it’s first car and before most people in the US had electricity.

No. 2s weren’t fancy guns, and most of the one you see today are pretty banged up. This one looks like it has barely been used, and except for the pad and maybe a light refinish to the back of the buttstock, I’m thinking it’s all original. So take a long look at it, because doing so is almost like taking a trip back in time.

L.C. SMITH No. 2 12 GAUGE HAMMERLESS SXS SHOTGUN: A beautiful high condition early L.C. Smith SxS. 12 ga with 2-3/4″ chambers. Serial range of 103k making it built in about 1898-1900. Early characteristics including the early style sideplate, rectangular safety window and dogs head on the forearm. High condition with beautiful blue bbls that are just as nice on the inside. Frame has all case colors remaining. Most are very vivid. Grade 2 bird engravings on the sidelocks. Wood is exceptional and has the very thin wrist with pistol grip knob. LOP 14″ from the added white line recoil pad. Fine early shotgun! Price: $4,875.

This week’s good guns: Powered by Gunsinternational.com …

December 20, 2015 by Gregg

GREENER 360 NO. 2 EJECTOR SxS DOUBLE RIFLE: Exceptionally fine condition this Anson & Deeley boxlock Ejector Greener Double Rifle was made in 1928 and remains in exceptional condition. The Trigger guard is engraved: “GRADE R.E.H.T. 60” Chambered for the .360 #2, 3” it has great bores and the previous owner reports excellent accuracy. The gun weighs 10 lb 7 oz with 26 ½” barrels. The front sight is a moderate size bead with a fixed rear sight labeled 100 yards and folding leaves at 200 and 300 yards. The stock is straight grain well laid out walnut nicely checked over the top of the grip. The length of pull is 14 3/8” with drop from line of sight at 1 7/8” and 2 ¾” to the heel. The barrels shows the “40 Pall Mall, London. S.W.” address and are engraved for the “Cordite 55 Grs Bullet ‘320Grs” load. Barrel flats show Greener Trade Mark elephant, Birmingham Nitro Proofs and chamber specs. The gun is in wonderful condition with the only corrosion in the Greener Safety recess with gold SAFE lettering. The stock has a few nicks, shows some shrinkage but is overall excellent. The butt is capped with a checkered steel buttplate and a horn grip cap and forend tip.The checkering is in excellent condition and is more pointed-up and not flat-toppedd giving a firm grip. Some cartridge brass is included with the rifle. Price: $19,995

CHARLES DALY DIAMOND QUALITY 16GA: Early Lindner manf. 26in IC and Full. .006 & .024. Double triggers. Automatic ejectors. Receiver fully scroll engraved with game scene on bottom and trigger guard. 50-60% case coloring. 97-98% blue. 14 1/4 LOP pad. 1 1/2 comb 2 1/4 heel. Excellent bores. Light weight model only 6 lbs! Price: $8,950

W.W. GREENER JUBILEE GRADE SIDE-BY-SIDE – 12 GAUGE – EJECTORS – HIGH CONDITION FROM 1934: Here is an oustanding original condition Greener Jubilee Grade made in 1934 to celebrate His Majesty, King George’s Silver Jubilee. This gun features a Anson and Deeley style scalloped action with ejectors. Case colors at 80%. Original bore configuration and in proof – chambers ar 2 1/2″, chokes at IC (12/1000) and Full (42/1000). Rolled edge trigger guard. Auto safety. Tight on face. Barrels ring true – no loose ribs. Nicely executed engraving including fences and barrel bands. Unengraved stock oval. Barrel length is 27″. Flat top checkering. The annual production of hand made guns for WW Greener in 1934 was a total of 100 guns. Made in a great period of English gunmaking. Stock dimensions: LOP – 14 1/8″, Drop at Comb – 1 1/2″, Drop at Heel – 2″. Price: $3,500

HIGH QUALITY “Gastinne Renette, A Paris” FRENCH SxS SHOTGUN: A 12 ga shotgun chambered for 2-1/2″ shells. A very classic looking European shotgun with a straight grip stock. Very thin in the wrist area. Very tight engraving on the frame. Heavy deep relief engraved bolsters. The frame has most case color remaining. Typical of European style, the inset panel is in blue as is the trigger guard. Extensive high quality engraving with the classical long pointed lower tang. Bbl blue very nice also. Wood is good overall cond with typical hunting mars and dings. The buttplate on this is not separate but instead sculpted into the stock. Price: $2,100.

L C SMITH NO.2, 30″ DAMASCUS BARRELS, EXCELLENT WOOD: No Cracks, Tight Action, SN#40601, Made in 1897-98. LOP: 14 1/2″ Front Trigger, 13 1/2″ Back Trigger. Three Position Safety, Gun Requires Low Pressure Shells. Price is $949.00 or Best Offer by January 30. 2016. Antique Gun, No FFL Required. Price: $949.00 or Best Offer by January 30. 2016.

On Gunbroker.com now: A rare 16g L.C. Smith No. 2E, 28″ damascus bbls…

December 9, 2013 by Gregg

L.C. Smith 16 gauge No. 2 with Ejectors & 28" damascus barrels — L.C. Smith 16 gauge No. 2 with Ejectors & 28″ damascus barrels

I don’t like to sell my shotguns, especially if it’s one I’ve had for a while. Once I’ve had a double for a few seasons, we’ve been places together and shared time.

I remember slipping it out of its case at the beginning of hope-filled October days and breaking it down as I remember the points made and the birds hit and missed. The gun becomes part of my season – as important to me as the people and dogs I walk the woods with and the covers I visit.

But life is expensive, especially if you’re crazy about dogs, hunting and old shotguns. As bills pile up, some things have to go. So it’s time to say goodbye to this one: An L.C. Smith 16 gauge No. 2 with Ejectors and 28″ damascus barrels. It’s on Gunbroker.com now, and the listing ends tomorrow, 12/10/2013, at 9:00 p.m. ET.

The Hunter Arms Co. introduced the No. 2 grade guns in 1890 and they built them until 1914. The No. 2 was a popular model, but people didn’t order many of them in 16 gauge. Of the 12,483 No. 2s the company made 12,483, just 793 were sixteens.

Far, far fewer of these sixteens had ejectors, damascus barrels, and double triggers. So the SxS you see here is tough to find, and when you factor in its condition, you’re looking at an extremely rare double barrel shotgun.

This week’s good guns. Powered by Gunsinternational.com…

October 6, 2013 by Gregg

Army-Navy .470 NE SxS Double Rifle: Ser. No. 45921 .470 NE- 25″ barrels. Built on the Webley Long Bar action, perhaps the strongest double rifle action ever made. Double triggers, ejectors and intercepting sears. Bores are good to very good with rifling square and tall. Wt.- 11 lbs. Pull- 14 1/2″ from front trigger. A super classic hunting rifle! Price: $29,500.00

BERTUZZI 28 MOD VENERE BEST GUN- 28″ Bbls.- 1987- COMPLETE GOLD BORDER INLAYS on a BLUED FRAME- OVERALL 97%: #5847, Armi F.lli Bertuzzi, Gardone, V. T. Italy, A Bertuzzi Venere Best Quality Sidelock 28 Bore Ejector Game Gun Made in 1987, 28″ Chopper Lump barrels at .549 .017 & .032″ (Imp.Mod. & Full), 2 3/4″ chambers, Barrel weight at KG 1.210, Single non-selective trigger, Bushed strikers, Fairly small beavertail forend, Pistol grip stock at 14 1/2 x 1 1/4 x 2 1/16″ over a full face checkered butt, Neutral stock, 6 lbs. 2 oz.; Complete Gold inlaid border engraving on all metal including the forend, trigger guard, toplever & safety by Danteghini & signed, Blued frame and lockplates, Very nice piece of European walnut with nice color contrast, The entire receiver blue is at 98%, The barrel blue is 98%, The original wood finish is 97%, The checkering remains at 99%, The bores remain as new, Cased in the makers leather trunk. Bertuzzi guns are top of the line Italian made pieces. This is top drawer Italian workmanship and quality with classic lines, good balance and comes to the hand with ease with a very proper size 28 Bore Action body. Price: $24,900.00

Parker DHE 10ga. Damascus SxS Double Barrel Shotgun: Very early Parker 10GA. DHE damascus 30″ barrels, skeleton butt, 14″ LOP, choked Cyl-Mod, #62847. This shotgun pre-dates any known ejector Parker but it is the ‘real deal’!! Clean shiny bores, no dents or damage. minor check in wood grain near butt. Plenty of orig case color. A beautiful and crisp old 10 ga DHE. Price: $5750

CSMC Inverness 20 Gauge Straight Grip, 28" BBL. New In Box — CSMC Inverness 20 Gauge Straight Grip, 28″ BBL. New In Box

CSMC Inverness 20 Gauge Straight Grip, 28″ BBL. Vent Rib New In Box: Case coloured with full coverage tight scroll engraving. Round body, single trigger, selectable and auto safe. The barrels are 28″ vent rib, 5 interchangeable chokes, Tony has done a really nice job with the blue on these. The stock is a straight grip with very high quality wood, 14 1/2″ LOP, 2 1/2″ drop at heel, 1 1/2″ drop at comb, the chequering and finish are wonderful. 6lbs 5oz. Price: $4,895.00

AyA #2 28GA SXS Excellent Condition: This particular gun has 28 inch barrels giving it great balance and it swings smoothly, with fixed improved cylinder and modified chokes. Stock dimensions are 1 1/2 X 2 1/4 X 14 1/8 over the checkered butt. Wood on the straight stock is excellent European Walnut with hand cut checkering. The wood has been professionally done by Dennis DeVault in an oil finish (not shot since). The wood is “Knock Your Socks Off” gorgeous. The gun is in excellent condition and has only been lightly used. Price: $4500

Rare double alert: 16g L.C. Smith 2E, straight grip, double triggers…

September 4, 2013September 2, 2013 by Gregg

L.C. Smith No. 2 Grade, pic courtesy The L.C. Smith Collector's Association — L.C. Smith No. 2 Grade, pic courtesy The L.C. Smith Collector’s Association

Every gun nut has THE shotgun they’re trying to find. For a friend of mine, it’s 2o gauge Lindner-made Charles Daly with damascus barrels. Another guy I know is searching everywhere for an all original, color-case hardened Belgian-made 20g sidelock with 28″+ tubes.

My holy-grail used to be a 16 gauge L.C. Smith No.2 with a straight grip and double triggers. I spent years trying to track one down. When you look at the gunmaker’s production numbers, it’s easy to see why.

L.C. Smith No. 2 Double Barrel Side-by-Side 16 gauge shotgun

According to the L.C. Smith Collector’s Association, the folks in Fulton made just seven-hundred and ninety-three 16-gauge No. 2s. I bet at least 90% of these had pistol grips, and that’s why one with this configuration are easy hard to find (I’ve owned at least 3).

But swap in a straight grip, ask for double triggers, and now you’ve got a tough gun to track down. L.C. Smith probably set up fewer than thirty 16g No. 2s like this, and I’ve spent a decade looking for one.

In the past few month — bang! — two of them have popped up on the market. When I found the first one, I shocked by the condition – 90%+ all original – and stunned by the price – $8,0000. This one has less of that condition, but the price is still steep. Of course, it may be the last one you every see:

16 gauge L.C. Smith 2E with an original straight grip and double triggers: Nice, original condition LC Smith 16 GA, grade 2E. 28″ barrels choked .021 modified right and .032 left. Both bores are .661. Barrels retain 75-80% original blue. Engraving is sharp and clear, original case color remains at 50% or so. Straight hand stock with splinter fore-end. Checkering is sharp and un-damaged. Butt stock has an extension added that is so good that is hard to see.(see photos). LOP is 14 7/8″ to a 1/2″ pad. DAC 1 5/8, DAH 2 3/4, Cast is neutral. Mechanically perfect, this one is ready for some action in the field or on the range. Price: $5,495.00

Good gun alert: a nice little 28 gauge AyA #2 sidelock shotgun…

August 30, 2013 by Gregg

AyA, Aguirre Y Aranzabal Model No. 2 double barrel side-by-side shotgun

Aguirre y Aranzabal is one of Spain’s most famous gunmakers. The Model No. 2 side-by-side is one of their most popular double barrel shotguns.

AyA has been making the Holland-pattern No. 2 sidelock since the ’50s, and these side-by-sides are pretty easy to find on used. But most of the ones you see are in 12 gauge and 20 gauge. The really smallbores are harder to find, especially nice earlier ones like the 28 gauge you see here.

This one has a lot of nice features – a straight stock, 28″ barrels, lightweight, double triggers, and decent chokes. The price is pretty fair, too. If I were in the market for a 28g, I would take a long look at this one.

More about it from the seller:

EARLY AYA #2 28GA — 28″ MOD/FULL — FANTASTIC ORIGINAL GUN: BEAUTIFUL LITTLE EARLY (1979) AYA #2 28GA — 99% ORIGINAL CASE COLOR — SUPER DIMENSIONS — ARTICULATED FRONT TRIGGER – STRAIGHT HAND STOCK — CHECKERED BUTT — SINGLE FRONT BEAD — ALL ORIGINAL GUN THAT IS LIGHT AT 5LB 8 OZ — 28″ MOD/FULL .020/.040 — EJECTORS — SPLINTER FOREND WITH ANSON PUSH BUTTON RELEASE — FANTASTIC ENGRAVING BLUE AND COLOR — THESE EARLY GUNS WERE HAND ENGRAVED AND TRUE BONE CHARCOAL CASE HARDENED — Price: $4,950.00

BTW: If you’re interested in learning, more about AyA, check out this video:

A couple classics: Check out these vintage American Doubles…

April 11, 2013 by Gregg

12 gauge L.C. Smith Grade 2 Double Barrel Side-by-Side shotgun

If classic American doubles are your thing, here are two nice ones to check out. This first shotgun is a 12 gauge L.C. Smith No. 2. According the L.C. Smith Collector’s Association, “The No. 2 grade was nicely finished and engraved… and was said to be “just the kind for rough usage.” The Hunter Arms Company made 10,814 of them in 12 gauge, and the twelves are very common on the used market.

I’ve owned a few No. 2s over the years — a 12 gauge and two or three 16s. They were all solid, reliable shotguns. I still own one of the 16s — a real early one that’s a nice grouse gun. There’s another No. 2 that I’ve always wanted: a 16 gauge with a straight grip and double triggers. If you have one and you want to sell, drop me note. I would love to buy it.

Here’s more about the one pictured:

LC Smith Grade 2 – 12 GAUGE with ejectors and chain damascus barrels: Nicely figured stock with sharp checkering. Gun is tight on face. Ejectors are perfectly timed. Three position safety. Bores are excellent with right at .732 and 22/1000 choke (Imp Mod) and left at 31/1000 choke (full). Barrel length is 30″. Chambers are 2 3/4″. Weight of gun is 7 LBS 1/2 OZ. LOP – 14″. Drop at Heel – 2 3/8″. Price: $2,200

The next double is a 20g Ithaca Flues Grade 3. The Ithaca Flues was one of the country’s most popular doubles. But even though the company made 223,000 of them from 1908 to 1926, they didn’t make a whole lot of 20 gauge. They made even fewer of them in Grade 3 with 30′ barrels, so it’s safe to say that this is one very rare American side-by-side:

20 gauge Ithaca Flues Grade 3 Double Barrel Side-by-Side shotgun

Fantastic Ithaca Flues 20 gauge Grade 3E — 30″ barrels: Rare gun, with ejectors. Beautiful original condition, tight as the day it was built. 80% original color, 95% barrel blue and varnish. Full figured wood with perfect original butt place. Splinter forend with push-button release. Long, 30” barrels. Perfect upland gun. 14 ¼” x 1 ¾” X 2 7/8”. Price: $5,500.00