Description
AYA 12G XXV SIDELOCK SIDE BY SIDE SHOTGUN.
As per the name / spec. this is the XXV / 25” (635mm) True Side Lock Side by Side from AYA in Spain. Basically as near exact copies of Top London guns at this end of production but a fraction of a London gun price. A traditional ‘Churchill’ Narrow Topped File Cut Raised Rib finished with a single brass sighting bead. This gun comes with matching or twin chokes at approx. ¾ and ¾ restrictions. EXCELLENT for anyone picking out the longer / higher birds only.
At one time this must have been from a pair or trio. This being detailed as the No.1 gun in Gold to the Rib, Top Lever and Forend Tip. Sadly no idea where any of the matching guns are.
It also features one of the most Highly Decorative Stocks I have seen on an AYA shotgun. Excellent Grain Pattern and Colour Contrast along with the Top Quality feature of a Tear Drop to each face. Finished with the 1” (25mm) Recoil Pad it gives a pull length at a long 15 7/8” (404mm). Finishing the overall measurements at 43” (1093mm) and a weight of 6 Lbs 7 oz (2.917 Kg). This stock is also quite noticeably Well cast for a right handed shot.
The action with slightly deeper Hand Cut Engraving to the more modern options and still retains Excellent Case Hardening Colour. Hand Detachable Locks for ease of cleaning and or maintenance. All in all a very nice example of these excellent guns. SUPERB value for money too, even when brand new. Especially when compared to a similar English gun new or pre-used. (Today, IF still available, you would easily expect a retail price circa £6 -8000. For a No.1 you are looking in excess of £18K!).
March 2018 saw a very similar but NOT as pretty gun in Holts Sale Room in London. A guide price of £2000 minimum plus commissions and VAT. OK, no sale that time but this has to be a more than fair price for a gun like this.
£1599.99
THE STEEL SHOT DEBACLE?
FIRST THING: Given lead is SO dangerous, can we ask about getting every lead water main replaced? After all, ANYONE with one of those still supplying water has zero choice. LETS PUT THAT QUESTION TO HEALTH AND SAFETY EXECUTIVE AS WELL AS THE GOVERNMENT.
That is every child’s grazed knee washed out with lead infested water (direct into their blood stream. Every glass of juice. Every cup of tea or coffee, Vegetables washed and cooked in the stuff. ALL that DELICIOUS Gravy. Cloths washed in it. Then we bath in the sodding lead infested stuff!
HOW DO THEY DEFEND THIS FACT?
THEN THERE ARE more and more Non-Toxic Shot alternatives being produced. WITH near matching performances to traditional lead and close to, if not matching pressures. Take a look at Horton Gunmakers for their own entry into this debacle of modern-day shooting. IF it’s so lethally deadly to shooters and game eaters, how is it every old lead water main supply pipe is not getting ripped out and replaced? To my mind it’s a DISGRACE that the shooting industry did not simply ask that one simple question. NO, they saw an excuse to charge a fortune and that mainly to the detriment of the quarry. Just my opinion …..for what its worth?
Anyway, take a look for yourself:
NOW, to TRY and help speed up availability I WILL also suggest that YOU pass on details to everyone you know who shoots. Then ALL of us start to ask whoever we buy from why they are not DEMANDING cartridges made in this material? Basically VOTE with your WALLET.
YES, it will take a little time for everything to filter through but patience IS a virtue. It also allows everyone who wants to keep hold of their ‘old favourite’ for the rest of their lives. Even pass it on to the next generation and hopefully beyond!
On that note I AM looking into the possibility of stocking some direct from Steve at Hortons. RING for an update and keep checking the web site.
