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Sidelock
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Has anyone come guns made by or for Sociedad Española de Armas y Municiones? Apparently, they were more of a trader than maker, a Spanish version of A&F. I have not been able to dig up any information on them - Wieland does not mention them in Spanish Best.

Thanks in advance, Doverham


Such a long, long time to be gone, and a short time to be there.
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I was not able to turn up too much more information on this retailer, other than various makers supplied guns to them. I did end up buying the gun after having a chance to make in-person inspection and test drive. It is a 20 gauge sidelock with 28" barrels and no top rib. It weighs a scant 5.5lbs and feels more svelte than any 28 ga. I have handled.

The gun was made in 1943 by Union Armas (later Grulla) - interestingly, AyA made the locks. It was SEAM's top model and has all the Spanish "best" gun attributes: hidden third bite, bolstered action, gold washed lock parts, jeweled internals, drop points, diamond grip, full coverage engraving (the catalog calls it "aleman" (German) but it looks more Belgian to my eye.

The chokes are IM and XF - they are pretty effective on clay targets but may not work so well for grouse and woodcock. The gun came with its original maker's case and accessories.

Here are some photos:





Last edited by Doverham; 04/06/13 10:50 PM.

Such a long, long time to be gone, and a short time to be there.
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Originally Posted By: Doverham
I was not able to turn up too much more information on this retailer, other than various makers supplied guns to them. I did end up buying the gun after having a chance to make in-person inspection and test drive. It is a 20 gauge sidelock with 28" barrels and no top rib. It weighs a scant 5.5lbs and feels more svelte than any 28 ga. I have handled.

The gun was made in 1943 by Union Armas (later Grulla) - interestingly, AyA made the locks. It was SEAM's top model and has all the Spanish "best" gun attributes: hidden third bite, bolstered action, gold washed lock parts, jeweled internals, drop points, diamond grip, full coverage engraving (the catalog calls it "aleman" (German) but it looks more Belgian to my eye.

The chokes are IM and XF - they are pretty effective on clay targets but may not work so well for grouse and woodcock. The gun came with its original maker's case and accessories.

Here are some photos:




You also may have noted the automatic ejectors and articulated triggers, and the notation of best grade steel (Yo tambien hablan Espanol, Sr.) however, the earlier Spanish made shotguns (escopetas, si como no?) did not always have the best heat treating techniques-- have you test fired it yet? I also agree that the engraving is not quite the heavy incised style one sometimes finds on Merkel and Sauer guns-- More of the Liege style following WW2 and there freedom from the Nazi's control--El Zorro


"The field is the touchstone of the man"..
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Picking up where Fox left off in the catalog, Purdey style hand detachable locks, and chopper lump barrels. It also specifies gray finish. Mí Espanol es muy mal, but, is at least as good as Foxy's. Appears to have nicely fitted gas vents and brazed barrels, but, I can't tell for sure from the photo. The stock work is very well done, great fitting to the locks and well done drop points.
Nice gun. I wouldn't be too worried about poor heat treatment on that piece, it was a very high end gun in it's time.

Best,
Ted

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Good looking double. You've done well.

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Dont mean to nit pick but "Purdey style " detachable locks ? I think you ment Holland .

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Mil gracias, muchachos. The soft metal issue can be an issue on the older Spanish guns - a friend recently showed me a photo of a mushroomed firing pin from a 1980s Arrizabalaga. It was discovered when the left barrel stopped firing.

This gun performed without a hitch during 75 rounds of sporting clays, and my gunsmith did not see any concerns with this gun. Presumably any soft metal parts would have made themselves known after 70 years of use. The left mainspring has been replaced - I would have thought the right spring would be more likely to fail first, mas quien sabe?


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Beautiful gun. Bobby

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Originally Posted By: gunman
Dont mean to nit pick but "Purdey style " detachable locks ? I think you ment Holland .


The catalog says Purdey. Truth told, I prefer boxlocks.

But, its a real nice gun.

Best,
Ted

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My Spanish leaves much to be desired but looking at the photo's, Purdey ejectors (modified Southgate ) and Holland style locks.

A very nice gun BTW Doverham

Last edited by Birdog; 04/07/13 11:23 AM.

Good Shooting
T.C.
The Green Isle
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