I am considering a Victor Sarasqueta sidelock and would like to know more about the quality of that maker. I've heard a number of concerns expressed over the years about Spanish shotguns from the post-WWII era, such as improperly hardened internal parts. This particular gun is clearly finished as a best gun - full coverage scroll engraving, Woodward style carved fences, decent (although not spectacular) wood. It's in very good, but not perfect condition (some light freckling on the barrels). The asking price is relatively low for a Spanish sidelock from a known maker, which I attribute to this maker's being long out of business.

So, are there things I should be concerned about with Victor Sarasqueta as a maker, or is this a gun that should be relatively free of problems or concerns, absent abuse or neglect.

Thanks.

Terry Wieland's book 'Spanish Best' is an interesting and informative read on Spanish doubles. The 2nd Edition paperback is available for around $20 and is well worth the price if you have any interest in Spanish guns. Others can probably speak better to the quality of VS guns, Wieland had some good things to say about them.

They were never the best guns ,internally they were quite basic, finish and engraving were very average . That said they worked for the most part with relatively little trouble . Fine for light use but personally would avoid using heavy loads or for big bag days.

I would not fully agree with gunman about their quality. I have a number of doubles, including two Victor Sarasqueta sidelocks, one from the 1930's and another from just post WWII. In my judgment, they rank equally with two higher grade AyA sidelocks and two Ugartechea O/U sidelocks that I have, Merkel 303 clones. Never a problem of any kind, give great service, and look and handle well to boot! I don't know if they would be called "best" guns or not, but they are very good, IMHO. I think the bad knocks against Spanish guns stem from the flood of very low priced guns they turned out, not their upper grade guns.

Victor Sarasqueta was, arguably, the best of all the Spanish gun makers, past and present. He was, unarguably, the largest and most innovative of the Spanish gun makers. Absent abuse, neglect, and the wear and tear associated with long use it’s unlikely you will have a problem with a Victor Sarasqueta shotgun.

In Spain, when the talk turns to shotguns, the name “Victor Sarasqueta” is spoken with reverence.

Hello:

Yes, ChiefShotguns and Kyrie are right: Victor Sarasqueta is one of the best Spanish gun maker in history.

You can find some bad AyAs or mostly any other spanish brand (except Pedro Arrizabalaga), but never a bad Victor Sarasqueta.

All the grades that the firm made, from the lowest to the highest are well made.

The only bad about the brand is that they no longer exists since the 1970´s.

Best,

I have a 16ga 4E imported by Stoeger back in 1954....well made Spanish gun for sure.. even though it is one of the lower grade sidelocks Sarasqueta made.....

Interestingly adoration and respect does not seem to translate into high monetary value. Not long ago one could find SLE in .375 or .458 for about $6000. The new bench made SxS rifles from Spain cost >$30,000. That does not make a whole lot of sense to me.

Chief my experience with Sarasquetas is of guns built in the 60's and 70's . It is of these I have expressed my opinion on from my practical experience of repairing them .