doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion DoubleGun BBS @ doublegunshop.com Original 28ga Unión Armera-Grulla

This is the beautiful and original 28ga Union Armera-Grulla that I have obtained. Manufactured in 1935, three years after several former AYA workers founded the Union Armera factory.

Its previous owner never cleaned it and it is original. This is the good thing even though it is not flawless. I love the engravings and stock and forend woods. In addition, a good gunsmith told me that it has a barrel like today's shotguns no longer have.

I have it as a second gun because my favorite is my English 28ga single barrel.

Regards.

That's sweet, Campero. Nice, long barrels too!

Did the gunsmith say what he meant by barrels that are no longer made today? Was he referring to the method of construction, i.e. chopper lump possibly, or maybe that they look to be brazed together in lieu of soft soldering?

Thanks, Stanton.

The gunsmith was referring that these barrels have better quality than those of current shotguns. I wanted to know more information about the shotgun and wrote to Grulla giving them the serial number. Its current owner, Iñigo Usubiaga, replied to my sadness:

We do not have information on this model, as it is a very old model.
It is a model that nowadays is no longer manufactured, with boxlock type receiver, 28 caliber, 65mm chamber and 8 tenths chokes.
Sorry for not being able to give you more information.
Best regards
Iñigo Usobiaga

The surprising thing is that the gunsmith told me that I can shoot 28/70 cartridges without any problem... and it is true!

Also, I asked him if the H.A. initials seen on the left barrel belong to the barrel maker. He did not answer me. 😕

Stan, the gunsmith was probably referring to the time spent striking down barrels by hand.

Campero, lovely little gun but I would stick to 65mm cartridges as per the Proof marks if you can get them.

Beautiful gun, Campero! I love the engraving too. For my taste the handcut engraving is the best.

Chambers that are 2 1/2” or 65mm long, for a 28 gauge, are a bit of a problem on older European guns, at least here, in the US. That is a fairly uncommon loading here.

I’m looking at the wall thickness at the breech end, and, it seems quite substantial. The gun might have an action more properly sized for a 20 gauge gun, with 28 gauge barrels mated to that. If that is the case, it would explain two things, the comment that they aren’t made like that today, and the gunsmith not being worried about using 2 3/4” ammunition in it.

Good luck.

Best,
Ted

Parabola, I have many 28/65 shells, from that time and modern RC, but I can shoot 28/70 cartridges without any problem.




Thanks, earlyriser. When I saw the engravings I decided to but it.

Ted, I have two 28 gauge shotguns. My favorite is from the 19th century and this one from the early 20th century. Both have a special thickness in the barrels and, fortunately, I can shoot current cartridges. The shells come out perfect. Gunsmiths who have seen them told me that they have special barrels that are no longer seen now.

These are the great things about handmade guns made in those good old days.

Regards!