doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion DoubleGun BBS @ doublegunshop.com Spanish Gun Makers vs. Other Gun Makers

I was just wondering if anyone has an opinion as to whether they think there are currently any gun manufacturers out there who may be comparable to the dying Spanish gunmakers for artisanal hand craftsmanship and price point. I have personally viewed some of the Italian guns produced by F.A.I.R, Fausti, R.F.M., etc. at gun shows, but in my mind they still don�t compare to the Spanish gunmakers like AyA and Ugartechea, unless of course you start to pay twice as much in cost.

I don�t know, maybe it�s just my perception with all the CNC machining and laser engraving on new guns; it seems to diminish the craftsmanship.

FWIW-- I believe the late shotgun writer, Michael McIntosh, owned and shot an AYA 20 or perhaps it was a 28 gauge, as did the late grouse hunter, George B. Evans. The late Ernest Hemingway was fond of Spain, and also Spanish shotguns, and ordered several for his friends as gifts: Idaho rancher Bud Purdy, and biographer A.E. Hotchner, possibly others. I would glady accept one (or a matched pair) as a gift, yet today-- sidelock pls, DT, AE, much like a Purdey at a fraction of the cost--

In my view AYAs are fantastic for the price, for a bespoken gun. My number 1 was made to order, stock, engraving wood at no extra charge. Back in the day You could buy them directly from the factory at prices that were on most guns just a few hundred dollars. I have handled several Italian gun and own a little FAIR 702 o/u 28 gauge.

A handmade gun has a certain number of skilled file strokes. They cost.

The EU increased costs for those strokes.

It�s one reason old AyA�s are seen as a bargain by some.

I own both a British SLE by a fairly little known maker, S.A. Leonard, and an Arrieta 578, both purchased used. The Leonard is a far superior gun, although it cost me only a few hundred dollars more than the Arrieta. I also have owned a couple of British BLEs, one by Thomas Turner and the other by Westley Richards, and currently own an AyA 4/53. Again, I think the British guns better made and finished than their Spanish counterparts, although the Turner was less expensive than the AyA. Were I in the market today for a sxs I'd go used British before I bought new Spanish.

I've also looked extensively at the modern Italian sxs and find the ones in comparable price range to that of the Spanish sxs to be better engraved but not as lively or as svelte. They seem, at least to me, to be just a bit clunky. On the other hand, the highest grade ones are works of art, but the prices are a good deal higher than the comparable Spanish guns. The Turks are on their way, but probably won't reach the level of the best Spanish makers in my remaining couple of decades.

"I don�t know, maybe it�s just my perception with all the CNC machining and laser engraving on new guns; it seems to diminish the craftsmanship."

I agree that the machining and laser engraving diminish the craftsmanship. The fact is that many/most shooters don't want to pay for handwork. We all understand that manufacturers have to build to a price point in order to pay their bills and stay in business. I'm fortunate in that I have the skill to pretty much make or restore anything I want (except engraving) and the shooters I shoot with all like what I do, but none of them want to pay for the handwork.

William Powell, William Evans and even Churchill are importing Spanish guns in with their name on them. I have owned many Spanish guns over the years and have even had some made especially for me. They are nice guns but you get what you pay for.
I presently have some English guns but my everyday shooter is a Garbi 101, 12 bore with long barrels.
I shoot it pretty good on clays and doves. But it does not have the feel of an English Best gun.

My preference would be British over Spanish in their respective golden ages. Decoration is not a premium to me. My 1913 entry-level A&N looks and feels as good as any Spanish lady. (I don't fondle guns, as many say they do here!)

I have owned the following; AyA 53, Grulla 209, W&C Scott, WJ Jeffery, Purdey, Gibbs hammer gun, AyA #2, Garbi 103 A, Arrieta 578, Arrieta 900 series special, B Rizzini BR550, J Dickson boxlock (a Scott action).
Even though the Purdey is from 1893 it is the by far the best, finished, balance, patterns, engraving.
The Jeffery had great engraving and was finished on the outside as a best gun but the lockwork was not up there with Purdey.
The Scott and Dickson were finished and balanced great with good engraving and stockwork.
The AyA, Grulla and Arrieta 578 are hard to beat for the money. Metal work including locks is excellent, wood fit not perfect but close.
The Garbi is a pigeon gun and excellent just not as good as the Purdey or the Arrieta 900 series special, which was ordered by the Pres of a company and has fit, finish and game scene engraving that is top shelf. This is a pair of guns and for the price would be impossible to duplicate.
Almost forgot the B Rizzini is a nice gun but trigger is not as good as any of the previous mentioned guns. The rolled on engraving lacks something. All of these guns except the Rizzini were bought second hand. I think Arrieta comes the closest to matching an English best

I guess that is kind of my point, if the British gun firms are using the Spanish to build their sxs doubles, then is there anything out there that is comparable right now in this day and age. I see the likes of Churchill, William Powell and William Evans are using the Italian gunmakers for their O/U doubles. I would say the Italians make some very nice well built O/U shotguns.

Is Arrieta still in business? I thought they went bankrupt back in 2017. William Powell is still advertising Arrieta built sxs shotguns.

In regards to modern SxSs, don�t overlook the Perazzi DC12. It can be ordered in a competition or game configuration. Side plates are an option with the SCO version. Bulletproof guns.

Not long ago, I bought (on approval) a Cogswell and Harrison 20 gauge SLE.It was decently finished, but had Spanish locks. Not nearly the equal of a decent Birmingham gun. It went back to the seller. Too bad - I really wanted it to be a good one.

Fact> All countries had gun makers who made very good guns and very poor guns .
You can not make a general statement that one countries guns were better than anothers without factoring in numerous things .

Birmingham gunmakers in the past produced a lot of guns that were to be honest terrible .
Spanish , Italian makers also produced poor quality guns as well as very high quality guns .
Pricing aside , I have seen well made continental guns poorly finished so looking cheap at the same time exceptionally well finished guns that were terrible inside. Some Turkish I have seen are good examples of this .
You need also to consider the materials used , traditions/style of the gunmakers of that country and the market they were made for ie. was the gun meant to shoot a few birds for the pot or to shoot 500 bird drive days on a grouse moor ?
Each must be taken on its merits and comparisons can only be made by comparing guns of similar style and age .

Well put.

Best,
Ted

Indeed.

I have owned several Spanish guns, and I used three Spanish guns extensively: AYA No 2 and No 4 and an Arrietta 16 ga sidelock 572 model, I believe. I never had any mechanical issues with any of them. But both sets of the AYA barrels diverged their patterns. The No 2's left barrel shot to the left by 8 inches compared to the right barrel. The No 4 was a true left hand gun. The left barrel shot to point of aim but the right barrel shot low and right. The Arrietta's barrels shot together but low and the stock was very high already. I traded the Arrietta for an English SA Leonard sidelock. I used that gun successfully for several years until I obtained my current left hand pair. I would not buy another Spanish gun except to resell.

My AyA 4/53 28 ga had barrels that diverged. It was sent to Briley's to have thin wall choke installed to correct the issue, which it did. My 12ga 4/53 has been rock solid for years now. I had Briley thin wall chokes installed in the 12 ga also to permit the use of steel shot when it was required.

I purchased both some years ago and I am very satisfied with them.

It seems that many Spanish guns have had issues with pattern regulation. I've never owned one, but own two Turkish S x S guns and several "Italians". The patterns from all are regulated very closely, even though one in particular requires a certain off the shelf load to be so. One of the guns is a $489 gun. Mine was actually bought on sale at $439. It is the best regulated of all my S x S imported guns.

I don't get why a builder of a very nice gun cannot get something as basic as barrel regulation right. I understand that bad eggs slip through occasionally. But, when a man has owned 3 Spanish guns, and all three won't shoot wouldn't they're supposed to, something is sorely lacking. But, it's not just Spanish guns. It must be contagious, because one is apt to find a double with divergent patterns from nearly anywhere new guns are made, tho' I've never seen or heard of a Perazzi that wasn't right.

No secret, I'm a perfectionist about pattern regulation with shotguns. It's a deal breaker for me.

SRH

One Spanish make of gun I certainly wouldn�t knock is the Arrizabalaga. Ones I have seen are pretty fine guns, fit and finish is very good, actions are sweet, regulation is spot on, and balance is fine. My gun broke last year and my bud let me shoot his Arrizabalaga the month of February at wild quail. I was very impressed with this fine gun.

You have one gun, Buzz? There was a point in my life where I had one gun, but,it was a Remington model 17. I was about 17. Then I bought a Darne 20 gauge R 15, and I had two guns.
Right after that, things went to hell, and I think I have, like, 22 guns, now.
I wouldn�t need to borrow a gun, ever.
Surprised that you would.
Anyway, what makes those golden era English bests what they are isn�t what drives high end Spanish makers, today. Customers, then, and now, drive some of what goes on with best guns, which, is why there are unfortunate, used examples of English best guns engraved with Eric Clapton�s likeness.
We compare the times of different eras, and attempt to measure the products of those eras, with the needs of a current era.
Tough work, indeed.

Best,
Ted

Hehe, no Ted, I have more than one gun, but I only took 2 to Texas with me that year. My Browning superposed 20 went �click� with the bottom barrel 2 out of 3 x (until I got a new mainspring) and I had a S. Grant 12 ga that had an old repair in the wrist again became incompetent. Being 1200 miles away from my other guns, was forced to borrow one. My buddy let me use his 16 ga Arrizabalaga round body, SLE which was a copy of a Boss self-opener. Let me tell you, the gun was a little heavier than I like, but it sure was a good shooter. I used to Pooh Pooh the Spanish guns until I got my hands on that Arrizabalaga. A very good gun!

Maybe you should have offered to buy it off him?

I actually prefer to travel with a single gun. Usually a double trigger double, most often a Darne. Anything can break, I get that, but, no disappointments to report, yet.

Best,
Ted

I like that, comparing the times and needs, Ted. I knew the revered gunners of nearby fishing villages of the generation before mine, some limping then, all ailing and needing help to get about.

It took me a long time to realize that none ever felt a need for a 10, a 2 3/4 12 was just fine for subsistence living, selling what was left-over to pay for powder and shot or shells individually from the general store.

Who would have thought that my guns, among the best of North America and overseas then and now, require special care to use them, to feel the pleasure of a fine double in hand to shoot as well as the old-timers?

He offered to sell it to me, but I said no. I need another hunting gun like I need a hole in my head, Ted. Now, a new Perazzi competition gun ......hmmmmm. Nah, don�t really need that either. My 50 year old beater Perazzi mirage is just fine for what I need.

Maybe I'll change but if I'm away hunting and it involves at least one overnight....then 3 guns is the minimum. Usually one 12, one 16 and one old dependable no matter the conditions.

Mostly just because I still think it's fun.

Fun until you realize there are methheads targeting vehicles and housing where hunters stay in the counties in MN I hunt in.

Leaving single trigger/ejector doubles at home likely makes Murphy turn in his grave. Darne ejectors are reliable as hammers. No issue there.

If I had a gun act up, there has always been a Mom and Pop gunshop to buy/beg/borrow or, rent a gun from. The places I hunt aren�t that far from civilization, but, civilizations tend to run smaller in those areas.

A good thing.

They could use the business. I eliminate the hassles of more guns, more ammunition, and more kludge on a given trip.

Works for me.

Best,
Ted

Excellent points Ted. "Murphy" turning over in his grave? I assume (I hope) you mean the fabled Murphy who wrote all those great laws we all have experienced in our lifetimes? Not the Bill Murphy who posts here as Eightbore- lives in MD I believe.


I haven't travelled out to MT. to hunt in about 10 years- but I only took 2 firearms- A pre-64 M70 in 30-06, and a 12 gauge M12 field gun- 28" mod. solid rib-- Insured, as are my other more valuable weapons, and I agree that the criminal element is afoot everywhere nowadays. But those 2 Winchesters could get me by in almost any hunting scenario in MT, MI or even in MN- and ammo is available even in the Mom & Pop stores found in backcountry. RWTF

I like my Spanish guns but don't think they are as nice as my British ones. Both are better than most of my American classics, although the American made guns are my favorites. They're pretty much all reliable in my opinion and experience...Geo

I like it when Murphy�s Law is frustrated. My experience only, but, Lefevers frustrate Murphy�s Law, LC Smith�s do not.
Those between the wars English and Continental boxlocks do a good job frustrating Murphy�s Law, But, you expose yourself to Murphy�s wrath if you get �em in single trigger and/or ejector versions. Not an issue with a Darne.
Those guns the Kings used really don�t belong along with me, hunting in the Dakotas, or Minnesota. Laughably out of place. Plus, I�m an oaf. Scratch here and there, in spite of myself.
But, they are really nice guns. The people who bought them typically paid the manufacturer to exorcise Murphy�s demons out of them, annually.

Best,
Ted

Fox,
Uh, yes, Murphy of Murphy�s Law, not our guy.

I expect our guy has a pretty good grip on what works, and why, and, what doesn�t.

Best,
Ted

Me too. I just hate somebody being right so much of the time, as Murphy (as in Law) is.

SRH

My only Spanish gun is a Julian Arana made La Sorda, badge engineered to a large sports store in Brisbane Australia in the seventies. It carries the name they had put on it of Sniper.

So, job lot cheap but looks good on the outside while the internals look like they were finished at 4.30 on a Friday afternoon with a mill bastard file.

For years it gave me trouble with firing pins, those swaged in jobs. Broken springs, original ones misfired because of lack of protrusion & my replacements failed on the swage & broke the pin off the body. I finally changed things a bit & used ball point pen springs & a different swage with a washer which tricked it into being a reliable old gun. My wife's go to gun these days.

I like the fact that its 28" barrels are brazed together & not soft soldered. They are well enough regulated with the left full choke barrel shooting more to the right the farther out you get. The first or right barrel is IM & true to point.

I have replaced the hinge pin as well. A very simple thing to do on that design.

O.M

I agree, he is very knowledgeable.

I have a Spanish double rifle (Armas Ego) in 375 that has been completely trouble free and well regulated, in addition to having some external beauty. I have enough confidence in it to take it to Africa...

The only "cheap" Spanish gun I have is a Laurona which was marketed here by Sears. Never a problem with it...Geo

Is that the one that is the same as a Winchester model 22?

Pretty decent gun, if that is the case.

My Uggy was cheap. I bought it after the tax on gun ownership hit those in Spain, and they were being dumped, here, although my Falcon wasn�t in that group, anything from Spain was cheap, for a while.

Cole went through it. Never a problem, but, Cole going through it migh be cheating.

Best,
Ted

Ted, my recollection was Sears imported a Spanish gun to compete with the Win. 21, but I don't think it was the Laurona. I used to keep a lookout for whatever model Sears called the gun in question, but I've forgotten what it was...Geo

It was the Sears JC Higgins model 100 made by AYA in I believe 1953 and 1954. I have one.

Not that one. This one:

https://www.gunsamerica.com/944093942/Winchester-Model-22-12ga-with-BOX.htm

I seem to remember a few of these were unmarked with Winchester nomenclature, and made it into the Sears pipeline.

Best,
Ted

My Laurona looks like the model 22, but is not marked Winchester anywhere I see. The model 100 was the one I was thinking about. I've seen one but never owned one. The Laurona is good enough for me...Geo

Ted, I bought my Ugartechea Falcon at a gun show, and it was just too cheap to pass up for the condition and overall quality. I didn't even know it was the Falcon model until you educated me. No one will confuse it for a "Best" gun, but fit, engraving, and finish certainly beats the current crop of Turkish doubles. Mine has never given me a bit of problems either. I shoot it quite a bit around the house at pests like grackles and crows. Grackles get pretty quick and evasive after they learn to flee the scene when they see you come outside with a gun, but the Falcon fits well and gets the job done. I feed it just about anything that I wouldn't put through my old vintage doubles. The comb on the stock is somewhat sharp, and it does smack your cheekbone a bit with heavy loads such as 2 3/4" and 3" magnums. But it is a light gun, as I recall, not much over 6 1/2 lbs.

George- I am familar with the Win. M21- and a farmer friend has a M24 in 16 gauge- bit what is the history of this M22? I have never seen one. The Model 23- yes, a Japanese mfg. double, as were the Parker Reproductions- Thanks- RWTF

RWTF, read the link Ted posted above...Geo

Got a picture of it, Geo? The Laurona model 22 guns with an English grip and splinter were crazy high quality, and cheap to buy. Trying to remember where I read about the guns that went to Sears, instead of Winchester.

But, the guys who were loitering around the sporting goods counter at Sears that day, might have gotten the deal of a lifetime. I seem to think Ole Cowboy might have had one or two.

Best,
Ted

Keith,
The Falcons are still under appreciated for what they are. Saw a .410 sell recently for well under 1K. Couldn�t think of a good reason to buy it, other than it was cheap.
There was not much else that compared.

Best,
Ted

Ted here's a poor picture. The gun has side-clips, cocking indicators, a wood grip cap and an Old English pad. The fore-end is splinter with an Anson style latch. It is badged Laurona-Eibar...Geo

Doesn�t appear to be the same model.

Best,
Ted

I didn't think so either upon comparison. Maybe it would look better being held by a good looking chick wearing a genuine french hat!..Geo

I don�t think it looks bad.

When I was just a kid, there was a family that had left Germany, right after the war, and immigrated first to Canada, and then, here. The patriarch owned a Savage Fox BSE, and when I asked why he didn�t have a German shotgun, he told me he couldn�t afford a German gun when he was in Germany, nor could he afford to hunt. That all changed when he got to Canada, and continued when he got here. The Savage, he could swing the price of, with three kids. He also found places to hunt, that didn�t cost money.

He was quite happy with things as they settled out for him.


A lot to be said for that. The old guy still lives near my Mom, alone now, and has never owned any gun but the Savage. The last few times I�ve asked him to tag along, he has said he can�t, but, thanks for asking.

A gun really just has to work.
Everything else, is just polish.

Best,
Ted

Well it seems that some of the current British gun firms still have product confidence in what�s left of the Spanish gunmakers, at least with Arrieta and Grulla.

I was looking at William Powell�s website and it looks to me like they have re-branded Arrieta�s model 557, 578 and 581 as their Marquis, Eclipse and Monarch guns. For a new hand crafted shotgun, they still seem reasonably priced, including a 5 year warranty. William Powell sxs shotguns

What about the French Chapuis Armes line of shotguns? I see Orvis is now importing a Chapuis Armes shotgun branded with their name Orvis Chapuis Armes. They look to be very nice guns. Does anyone have firsthand experience with Chapuis Armes shotguns?

This "other" gunmaker's efforts come with a lifetime warranty. And, are built on a true triggerplate action.



https://dickinsonarms.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/dickinsonwarrantyform07-16-18.pdf

I find the notion of a lifetime warranty an underwhelming reason to buy something.
My Schwinn bicycle, bought in 1972, had a lifetime warranty on it�s frame. Still have the bike, but, the warranty is long gone.

Best,
Ted

I agree to a point, Ted. But, I've never bought a product that had a true lifetime warranty that was not a very good product. I'm sure others have exceptions to my experiences. I also know that a warranty is only as good as the company behind it, and that company could go under.

I was overwhelmed by the quality of work, fine detail, built into the Dickinson. The split between the ejector faces is so hard to see, when they are both at the "bottom", that they could be mistaken for a one-piece extractor. The workmanship inside the trigger plate action as well. I need to take some good close up pics of some of these features to share. Hopefully that warranty will never be used, but one never knows. Doug Woodin took his apart and took some good pics, but I haven't looked to try and find them.

SRH

I looked until I found the post where Doug showed the internals on these guns, but the pics are not there anymore. Just three little blue boxes with a "?" in them. Does anyone know if they can be recovered?

http://www.doublegunshop.com/forums/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=302060

SRH

Somehow, the straight hand grip with a double trigger seems to go together like branch water with sippin' whiskey. I have heard the arguments between a SST and a double trigger set-up-- faster choke selection- possibly the "ticket" for pass shooting, and incomers, where you want to fire the tighter choked barrel first, for birds at a distance, using the more open tube for the possible closer shots-

In all the years I have used my Dad's 12- M21- SST, AE- I have set the selector "button" in the trigger blade once to fire the LH barrel first- This is my only doublegun so equipped, some have DT with a POW grip- none with a straight handed grip like your gun shown here.

Thanks for sharing- fine gun indeed. Seeing a brace of bobwhites recalls "It takes a Gentleman to approach a Gentleman- Bobwhite being the "Gentleman's game bird"-- Maybe it was the late Robert Ruark who said that- whomever did, well said indeed! RWTF

I shoot single triggers and double triggers equally well, or poorly. I have no problem switching between the two. That said, I prefer double triggers. For much of the hunting I do I get to shoot incomers .......... doves, ducks, crows. I love being able to go instantly to that rear trigger to kill an incomer way out there, then try for a double with the front trigger on another in the flock/drove as they close e distance on me.

I just can't switch a barrel selector well enough to do that, and with cold fingers it's not always easy to change them anyway, according to how they're made. Probably the easiest design to switch, and easiest to remember the setup, is the button on the trigger itself that moves from left to right, and back.........like the SKBs.

Reliability on modern single triggers is a non-issue. They have long been perfected. Older single triggers, not so much.

SRH

I agree with you 100%- Today I believe your GA dove season ended, I hope you were able to escape farm responsibilities for a while and give them "speedsters" a final send-off.

I went out to visit a few of my back area dairy farms and feedlots- for pigeons. Perfect day, cool, no wind, overcast-. But as I like to "take my time" and see the farm countryside, I went via back dirt roads- boy howdy, the power lines were loaded with doves- and I thought they went South for the Winter, like the robins and orioles do-- Apparently that's not the case.

I got into some very good flights of pigeons- and I use the dead ones for decoys on the picked crop fields. And I bought 12 double for this- an 1928 era Ithaca NID- 30" choked imp. cyl. and imp. mod_ not commonly found in the 30" barrel configuration. DT, my preference, as like you detailed, I often shoot the LH barrel first at incomers, and use the RH more open choked barrel for the closer shots-

Plenty of room between the trigger blades, even for gloves, very smooth cocking gun, and great trigger pulls. Not a DHE Parker or a 3E Smith, but just a solid workmanlike gun. It is a Grade 2- some engraving, good walnut with decent checkering, pg capped, and a red Sunburst pad-- and it fits me perfectly-

It has extractors, whereas all my other double guns have ejectors. I do reload AA hulls, but the main reason I like to pick out the fired empties from the breech is out of respect for the farmers who allow me to hunt and shoot on their property whenever I wish to do so.

Livestock often pick up anything that attracts their attention- and if a cow should inject a empty shell the results could be digestive problems- and loss of income to the hard-working farmer/land owner.I dislike litter, will go out of my way to pick it up whenever I can- so the extractors fit the bill
for my barnyard shooting forays.

I also pick up the dead birds- call it "re-cycling" if you like. RWTF

Stan, I also noticed that most of the pics Doug PA24 posted here have disappeared. I don't even see the 3 little boxes with a "?" in them. Just blank space where photos used to be. I think he used PhotoBucket as an image hosting site, so it seems as if the losses continue to mount.

I know you are still able to use your PhotoBucket account. But I think it may be only a matter of time before you get hit too, and either pay the ransom, or lose what you have. It might be a good idea to back-up what you have.

Good point.

Best,
Ted

Thanks for a good reminder, Keith, but mine have always been backed up. All my photos go into a photo account on my computer. I then upload the ones I want into photobucket. PB works fine for me ........actually it has gotten much more streamlined over the last few weeks. I still see ads for them asking me if I want to start paying. I just X out of them and continue like always.

I'm not sure the deal with Doug's old photos is photobucket. I'm thinking he used something else. Everywhere a photobucket pic has been deleted there is a picture of a stupid looking kitten in a box. On Doug's posts there are just the little tiny blue boxes with the "?" In them. I dunno.

I shoot doves tomorrow morning at first light, then it's no more until the first Saturday of September. Maybe I need to strip and clean, and Eezox, the Dickinson. I could get some good pics of the internals if I do that.

SRH

Stan, what is Eeox? Being "Old School" I go with Hoppe's No. 9, Hoppe's or Rem oil, and WD-40.. Is it a product to use when you store a gun for the off-season? RWTF

RWTF,

It is a little more modern than Hoppe's. eezox

Ken

Thanks- next time I'm in a Cabela's/Bassackwards ProBowl Shop- I'll pick up a can and give it a try. RWTF

I've never seen it in a Bass Pro/Cabela's, Francis. I order mine.

https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_from=R4...ox&_sacat=0

SRH

Will it harm stock finishes?

Eezox will not harm either wood or gunstock finishes if you simply use it only on metal, which is where it belongs for lubrication and corrosion prevention. There is absolutely no reason to put any petroleum based gun oil, synthetic or conventional, on your gun stock.

You may get some advice saying that Eezox will not harm wood finishes or the wood itself. The archives here are full, of threads concerned with de-oiling gun stocks and attempting to undo the damage caused by oil soaking. Do yourself a favor and stick with appropriate wood care products.

"Rats"- to quote Charlie Brown. I have about $125 in Cabela's gift cards, from the recent Christmas gifting from my daughters.
I usually buy my 12 gauge ammo at Cabela's, I was hoping they carried this spray lubricant you fellows recommend. RWTF

I chose a new perfume for my "bride" as a Christmas gift, "Bella Blanca". She likes my taste in women's fragrances. But ............ if I thought I could pull it off I'd rebottle some Eezox and try to make her believe it was the latest thing from Oscar de la Renta. You won't be-lieeeeeeeve how good that Eezox smells.

SRH

Stan,

I've gone "old school" on my gun lubrication duties due to inheriting a catch of "fine watch oil" (sperm oil) along with several quarts vintage Brownell's sperm oil. No one will ever accuse that stuff of smelling good!

Bella Blanca-- translates from the Italian to: " Beautiful White Woman/Lady"-- I dated an Italian gal back in HS- she worked part-time for a downtown department store (back in the Eisenhower years) and worked the perfume counter-- Her favorite was "Prince Matchabelli""--

What ever happened to the "Signet" brand of oil- Peter Johnson mentioned this in his book on the Parker guns, if memory serves. We used a lot of WD-40 when I served in the USMC-- still good today, IMO.