doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion DoubleGun BBS @ doublegunshop.com Info on American Arms Derby 2 barrel 20/28 GA.Set

Can anyone tell me any detailed information about this American Arms Derby 2 barrel 20/28 GA. Set?

I believe that there were two maker's of the Derby, one being Zabala Hermanos. I think that ZH may have been the second company to make the guns for American Arms. From an earlier thread (if I remember properly) the ZH gun's engraving was roll stamped. I ran into a 12 ga recently, with the single trigger. Pics of the barrel and action flats will tell the maker, as well as the year proofed. I'm sure Kyrie will know the other company, I think he provided the info that I'm repeating.

here's the link for the Maker's Marks and date codes.

http://www.shotgunworld.com/bbs/viewtopic.php?f=126&t=160159

Regards
Ken

looks like the Zabala made Derby combo that American Arms imported in the late 80s..cant remember the other maker, but I believe that it was stocked to the fences, while the Zabala is a flat back...
I had one in 12ga for a number of years that never gave me any problems...not even the mechanical single trigger....

If anyone is interested, I still have the number for the dealer with the 12 ga ZH gun. It's in real nice shape..

The Derby was built by at least three different Spanish makers, Zabala Hermanos, Francisco Sarriugarte and Armas Erbi. An American Arms brochure from 1989 says the Derby was produced in 12, 20 and 28-gauges, as well as a .410. Standard features of the single trigger model had automatic selective ejectors, fixed chokes, matted solid rib, case colored sidelock action with engraving, walnut English style straight stock and splintered forend with checkered butt. 12-ga. Derbys were available either 26" IC/M or 28" M/F. All other gauges were available only with 26" bbls. and choked IC/M. 12 and 20- ga. retailed in 1989 for $825. 28 and .410 for $859. 20/28 bi-gauge sets retailed for $1069. The double trigger version (articulated) had the same standard features and was priced ~ $40 less than the ST guns.

I have a 12-ga. 3" American Arms Derby (ZH) with 28" bbls. (opened to .010/.020) that has my duck gun since 1989. It has never failed.

Hi, I used to own one in 20ga (no 28ga bbls) was a nice quality gun, did have the SNST, I did have a problem with the trigger, but was fixed and no problems after that. Mine was made by Francisco Sarriugarte. The one pictured is a Zabala made gun. The engraving pattern and the fact that it's not stocked to the fences gives it away. Zabala guns as you may know are hit and miss, some good, some not so good. That includes the Derby models. Classic buy the gun not the maker.

Best of luck to you!

Greg

Alvin,

The gun you pictured is a Zabala Hermanos (ZH) model Derby, two barrel set, 20 and 28 gauge. Here is another (one of mine as chance has it):





There were several variation of these imported. Mine is a DT gun; the one you picture has a single trigger. Could be a SST, or a SNST � both variations exist.

Mine was built as a medium game gun, but on the heavy end of the medium game gun range. Barrel walls were thick enough that I could have it cut for regular choke tubes, and didn�t have the expense of thin wall tubes. It has hand detachable locks, lock �engraving� is stamped and the lock is a back action lock work:





These are good, solid, working man�s sidelock shotguns.

The other �Derby� model shotgun, also imported by American Arms, is a different gun entirely. That gun was made by DIARM, top of barrels marked �Sarriugarte�, water table and barrel flats have the �BEST� maker�s mark of Erbi, and they came in a box marked AYA, and DIARM. All those different markings have confused some folks into thinking these guns were actually made by AyA, or Erbi, or Francisco Sarriugarte. Nope. All three of those makers were out of business at the time, having joined DIARM.

The DIARM Derby is, IMO, a higher quality gun as it has more skilled hand labor in it (and hand cut engraving). But there�s nothing wrong with the ZH Derby, and the ZH may actually prove to be more durable in the long run.

I rather suspect American Arms began importing the ZH Derby after DIARM closed and it became impossible to get any more DIARM Derby shotguns.

Hope this helps.

Kyrie,

Wasn't it primarily Sarriugarte who made the "Best" guns under DIARM? Didn't this cut many of the other makers out (the one's who joined DIARM) of the "Best Gun" trade during the DIARM years? (Armas Ego, the other small makers, etc.)

Regards
Ken

I'm not certain, but I think the "Derby" name originally came from Erbi. Makes sense anyhow.