There is a book of European makers, rendered in English, which was remaindered off in this country. It has a good many citations of makers never rendered to print on this BBS. I sold my copy in one of my periodic purges of goods. However, I can prolly locate the present owner.
In that volume an "Arizaga" -- not mistaking the name for the rolling Basque lisps of pronouncing Arrizabalaga, was cited as a very high maker of bespoke custom shotguns. I'll see if I can locate the citation for further edification of the assembled, but no promise on that.
I do not know if that Arizaga is either one of the two currently under discussion. I do know that I have handled some fairly low-end, crude-ish, apprentice level Arizagas, hence that book's information surprised me back then. I do remember a Sarasqueta boxlock or two that in no way resembled even the mid-line Stoeger grade six sidelocks, as an illustration of possible quality disparities within a maker. At the time I did not really comprehend the difference in initials that signified a totally different maker, and so did not remember the initials.
The old Ohio Gun Collectors shows had a plenitude of little known Spaniards on the tables, prior to the knowledge boom of the past decade. Would that the eyes of current knowledge could survey those rows, now. While we may believe that we know 'bout iv'rytink, komraden, it should not be a surprise if the European gunmaking community holds surprises as yet unknown.
As for 'buy or not buy', it's possible that a detailed set of very clear closeups and general photos would be useful to someone pontificating from behind a keyboard, but in general there's no way i could comment without handling the gun, and doing some discrete internal peeking. ;~`)
I would trust that you find a happy relationship with SxS that flutters y'r heart, and I'd personally have few qualms about a Basque gal from a proper family.
