Originally Posted by Tim Cartmell
Went out yesterday looking for a few forest grouse. I did a walk through of some older pine/spruce forestry plantations. Chased up six grouse and managed to connect with three, all were singles. Was out with my AyA 4/53 Cabela’s Classic, 12 GA. BLE.

[Linked Image from i.imgur.com]

[Linked Image from i.imgur.com]

[Linked Image from i.imgur.com]

A close up photo of my AyA 4/53 Cabela’s Classic detailing the coin finished engraving pattern.

[Linked Image from i.imgur.com]

This model was supposed entirely hand engraved, as stated by Bruce Buck in his review of the Cabela's Classic in the Shooting Sportsman book, 'Shotguns on Review', published in 2011, pgs. 20-24. He also stated that this foliate and flower engraving pattern wasn’t seen as coming from either England, or Italy. So my speculation, then maybe this engraving pattern was truly Spanish in design? Anyway, each to his own. I like it.

That pattern of engraving has been around since at least the 1950s. I lifted this image off the web, a 16 very similar to yours:

[Linked Image from i.ibb.co]

I saw a number 4 deluxe, the model with the scalloped back frame, in 20 gauge a few years back, with the identical engraving, wish I had paid a bit more attention to it and perhaps gotten my bill fold out, it was a really sweet handling little gun.

Enjoy.

Best,
Ted