doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion DoubleGun BBS @ doublegunshop.com AyA Quality Question

Mr. Khan's statement is being misinterpreted. He is not implying that present AYA gun quality is "questionable". His use of "now" is not what readers are thinking.

I have a Model No. 1 12 bore made in 1969. At that time they were trying hard to get into the English market with competitive guns of good quality. I feel that the late 60's and early 70's was a good time for quality. Certainly with what they sent here. Lagopus�..

I have a Model 4A boxlock ejector built in 1981, been very happy with the gun. Removed the ejector springs as I prefer extractor guns and this one was a bit hard to close with the springs in. Other than that it fits me well. Overall very happy. Got other guns I would let go long before letting the AYA go.

WBLDon

I have owned several AYA side by sides over the years. No high grade guns though. I do remember back in the 80's when the Spanish gun trade was in a bad way a group joined forces under the name, Diarm, I beleive that is correct. I think quality suffered during that period.
The newer guns are very nice and dependable and I read the #1 imported selling gun in the UK.
I would love to have a #1 or a Model 56 AYA.

max
Is your Sears AYA a J.C. Higgins Model 100 ?
Mike

I have a 4/53 12 gauge that I ordered new in 1998.
This gun has fired well over 10,000 rounds without a bit of trouble.
Most of these shots have been light 7/8 ounce target loads but it is still as tight as it was when it was at 500 rounds.

I think most Spanish guns need to be judged individually. I have had Aya 53 with no flaws at all, Garbi 103 A special with great wood but rather flat engraving and the inletting on the forearm was fair. Grulla 209 which was perfect in every way, Aya #2 which is excellent other than the forearm inletting again not perfect. I have a pair of Arietta's that are high grade and perfect.

I have a 1968 AyA No. 2, 20 gauge, excellent metal fit and engraving, plain vanilla wood.

I have no experience with AyA, so no comment. However, I would like to add some to the following comment.

"Well, save those VERY few that truly do make only Best guns."

Boss claimed "best guns only." Their less-than-best were branded with their shop manager's name, John Roberts, I believe. With the foregoing possible exception, all other makers supplied whatever the customer was willing to pay for. Few makers had all the talent needed for a best gun within their in-workers at any one time. Most of the time some of the work was done by contract out-workers. The men capable of best work were well known within the trade. Any brand could get out a best work gun via the trade. The trick was getting the order. It should be no surprise to to find an obscure brand on a best work gun. Value due to brand? Brand Value 1 (BV1) @ $8X, BV2 @ $6X, BV3 @ $4X, BV4 @ $2X, and BV5 @ $1X; the foregoing for five guns of equal original quality work and in the same current condition.

DDA

I believe it was 'Robertson"

He acquired the company when Thomas Boss died in 1891. Prior to that, Robertson was a gunmaker who worked for others (including Boss)