I see that Ugartechea has a new website. I wonder if someone has since bought the company and is planning to start it up again? Looks like the same listing of shotguns as before.

Ugartechea Armas

Good news if they can get it up and running again.

It is a little concerning that the gallery and the narrative all seems to relate to a past age.

It would be reassuring if they can post some pictures of their present manufacturing set-up.

Campero, have you or any other of our Spanish members have any information? Has it be mentioned in your shooting press?

I just came across a recent discussion on another board, re: Ugartechea starting up again, wherein one of the posters had contacted the company and it seems they are back with a US importer out of Dallas. If that is true, it will be interesting to find out what their quality and new prices will be. The previous quality and price made their shotguns attractive and attainable for the average Joe. A lot changes in five years though. If it's anything like AyA, their base model 4/53 boxlock is now selling for $8,000 in Canada. When I bought mine 10 years ago, it cost $4,000 new. At that time I had talked with the Ugartechea dealer and he told me the mid grade shotgun market for him was between $2,000 - $5,000 new, anything under $2,000 he said the market was already too saturated, anything over $5,000 took a very long time to sell. It's likely going to be an even tougher market now.

About a month ago I confirmed with the Canadian Distributor that Ugartechea is indeed back in production for 2023. He stated that they will be bringing in new Ugartechea stock this spring. I believe Campero had previously made mention that the company is now held by American interests?

Sounds like good news.

They were a sound brand. I have a little 20-bore BLNE and a little used 12 bore BLE that I didn’t really need but could not resist snapping up at auction when it was going ridiculously cheap.

Así es, compañeros. Todo parece indicar que Ugartechea seguirá fabricando armas. Después de que los sucesores del señor armero Ignacio Ugartechea (que falleció en 2019) anunciaran el cierre de la fábrica y la venta de todo (escopetas completas y 'en blanco', piezas, herramientas, etc.), parece que apareció un comprador que ha vuelto a poner en marcha la fábrica.

Sé todo esto porque estuve en contacto con una de las hijas, Marta, que confirmó el cierre de esta histórica casa armera y de hecho facilité un contacto a compañeros de este foro para adquirir material. También escribí este artículo, con declaraciones de Marta, sobre una escopeta especial que fue del maestro Ugartechea y que sus hijas pusieron en venta.

https://cazaworld.com/la-famosa-escopeta-superpuesta-de-ignacio-ugartechea-en-venta/

Después de todo esto, con la consiguiente tristeza entre los aficionados a las armas que valoramos la historia de esta marca, hemos descubierto que la actividad de Ugartechea ha renacido con un notable cambio. Se nota en las publicaciones de redes sociales que la línea propietaria no es nacional. De hecho, un conocido armero español me confirmó que un americano había comprado la fábrica y derechos de producción.

Imagino que el mercado se habrá enfocado hacia países de fuera de España. Toda la suerte para este nuevo proyecto que ya está en marcha. ¡Seguiremos atentos!

D.O.A.
JR

That's right, comrades. Everything seems to indicate that Ugartechea will continue manufacturing weapons. After the successors of the gunsmith Ignacio Ugartechea (who passed away in 2019) announced the closure of the factory and the sale of everything (complete and 'blank' shotguns, parts, tools, etc.), it seems that a buyer appeared who has restarted the factory.

I know all this because I was in contact with one of the daughters, Marta, who confirmed the closure of this historic gun shop and in fact I facilitated a contact with colleagues in this forum to acquire material. I also wrote this article, with statements by Marta, about a special shotgun that belonged to the teacher Ugartechea and that his daughters put up for sale.

https://cazaworld.com/la-famosa-escopeta-superpuesta-de-ignacio-ugartechea-en-venta/

After all this, with the consequent sadness among weapons fans who value the history of this brand, we have discovered that Ugartechea's activity has been reborn with a remarkable change. It is noted in social media posts that the proprietary line is not national. In fact, a well-known Spanish gunsmith confirmed to me that an American had bought the factory and production rights.

I imagine that the market will have focused on countries outside of Spain. All the luck for this new project that is already underway. We will remain vigilant

CAMPERO’S POST ABOVE via Google Translate

Thanks, Parabola!

Sorry for the last post in spanish and I'll try to write the next ones in english.

Hola Sr. En Espanol esta bien, para Mio-Tambien en Aleman.. Al igual para Usted, tambien soy un avido hombre de escopets del Mundo hechan, Se de Sarasqueta debido a mi vida lengua estudio del escritor, Dom Ernesto Hemingway. E.H. poseia y usaba escopet as fabricadas por: Winchester, Browning, Beretta, AYA, W.&C. Scott y Merkel. Fue un tiro de paloma en vivo de primer nivel, en anos posteriores dispare en Cuba, en el Tiro de Cazadores cerca de La Habana. Escrito esto con la esperanza de que entiendas mi peor espanol de secundaria (tres anos) con dos anos de estacion en Puerto Rico. Sr. Francisco Morin-aka- El Zorro.

Estimado, Sr. Francisco, ¡claro que también soy un amante de las buenas armas hechas con las manos: inglesas, belgas, americanas, españolas... He tenido bastantes armas y he cazado con los calibres 12, 16, 20, pero hace tiempo descubrí el 28 y es mi preferido. Comencé con el calibre 28 con dos escopetas Ugartechea. Después de haber tenido más en este calibre, mi compañera para cazar es y será siempre una escopeta monotiro inglesa de este calibre con martillo exterior: una delicia. ¡One shot, one chance!

Veo que tiene mucha experiencia con las armas y el tiro, y deseo que todo vaya a mejor. Saludos desde España.

Salud y buena caza para todos.

Hola, Mi neuve amigo de Espana- Que Tal. Tambien Yo estoy amantiro de las armas hechas con los manos del mundo, Europa y Los Estados Unidos. Y como usted, tengo algunas arms en calibres:12, 20 y 28. Los escopetas hechan para Winchester & L.C. Smith estan mio "vaya a selectione par dia"-- Pero tengo mucha experienca como asi una cazador en Michigan, Montana y Arkansas en Los Estadoes Unidoes. Saludoes y muy buena serra desde Michigan. Sr. Francisco!!!

Who will be the USA importer?


John Boyd

I don't know, John. And the new owner of Ugartechea is... ¿?

Quien sabes?? Zorro...

Ugartechea is back!

I was just over on the New England Custom Gun website and seen that they will be bringing in a new Ugartechea model called the Knock-About in early 2024. It will be based on Ugartechea's entry level Model 40, non ejector, with a scalloped action and case coloring. 26 inch barrels though. Grouse gun? No picture yet. $4995.00 expected price.

New Ugartechea Advert

_____
TC

$5k for a boxlock non ejector....surely that`s dead in the water in today`s market ???

I’d be happy if someone offered me $2.5K for my almost as new Parker Hale Ugartecha 12 bore BLE with chopper lump barrels 🤩🤩🤩

Hammer price at Southams about a year ago was £12.

Sadly, I agree.

______
TC

$2500 is what the Model 40 sold for new back in 2010-2012 when I was looking at them.

I always liked their Maura model which was a step up from Ugartechea’s model 40. The Aspen Outfitting Company claimed it as their proprietary AOC/SG model. However, the Ugartechea Maura apparently existed long before AOC made claim to it.

When I use to regularly frequent the Spanish Shotgunworld site, a Spanish fellow came on once and made a post describing that very boxlock model. He stated that years ago he had visited the Ugartechea workshop in Eibar and asked Ignacio Ugartechea about the Maura model. Mr. Ugartechea explained that he had built it years before specifically for a lady named Mrs. Maura who was a marquise. He said she use to hunt woodcock in the hills around Eibar, but would get tired carrying a heavy 12 gauge sidelock all day long. So Mr. Ugartechea custom built her a 16 gauge boxlock with open chokes and so named the shotgun, Maura.

I handled a Maura boxlock back in 2010. It was a very simple and yet elegant little gun, just felt lively in the hands. I should have bought one when I had the chance. They were strictly a special order gun. I told the distributor I would purchase one if Ugartechea ever made them again. Back in 2010, he told me they were only made on a small production run, specifically a batch of about 25 guns once a year for the Aspen Outfitting Company. I stopped and visited the Aspen Outfitting Company back in 2014. At that time, Jon Hollinger told me that was the last year they would be bringing in Ugartechea shotguns. It was pretty much over by then.

Ugartechea Maura



_____
TC

A nice Merkel M8 in 12, 16 or 20 will cost you less than $1,500.

Quite a lot less, in fact. You can also buy a darn nice vintage gun for under $5k. In fact, you could be a couple of them, maybe more.

But then you'd have to look at the cheek piece, sling swivels, and the Jurassic chickens engraved on the thing….


Best,
Ted

Really? I don't have ANY of those things on my Model 8. Perhaps you need to go back to the drawing board with The Fuse.

Maybe you need to slither out and look at a few more guns:

https://www.gunsinternational.com/g...el-model-8-16-gauge.cfm?gun_id=101547003

Best,
Ted

welcome back, el foxie...

Maybe you should quit being such a dickhead and stick to things you actually know about - like guns that don't shoot worth a Darne.

Do you always shoot the messenger?

Asking for a friend. Or three.


Best,
Ted

Why don't you just admit, you really don't know much about Merkels (etc.)?

You really want to tell someone that owns one, what it looks like? Grow up.

And now you upset The Fuse, and he is probably having a terrible morning after having to look at a Teutonic shotgun again, especially that one.

Unfortunately, over many years I have been enticed by a nice looking, great handling and light upland double with a great price, all from Spain. Reviewers went on at length about shotgun perfection and incredible price. Every time when time came for it to move on, I took a bath in blood and thought I had adopted it for life. Never again.

This, after I posted an example of EXACTLY what I was talking about? Really? Scientific method much?

Hey, word has it there is a recently retired professor that believes there isn’t enough grit for ruffed grouse to eat. Bet he wears lederhosen when he hunts.

In northern Minnesota.

We should commission a study to find out!



Best,
Ted

__________________________________________________________________
Probably climate change. Or, you know, Trump.

You'd be funny if not so pathetic. You said if he bought a Merkel, he would HAVE to live with a cheek piece, swivels, and chickens. I am still looking for you to show me where those features are on my Model 8. You said what you said. Maybe you ought to rethink what you don't know you don't know about science.

But yet you will persist, because you just can't help yourself.

Why don't you do something useful and check your Darnes for regulation. Or actually go hunting. Don't forget your "snap caps". Good grief.

Sub par Germanic engraving, cheekpieces and swivels aren’t a thing, because they aren’t on your gun.

Got it.

Maybe you should get out more . Just a thought.

Best,
Ted

I'm out pretty much every day, Ted. Maybe you need to work on your comprehension of the English language, what you don't know you don't know (about everything), and Merkel Model 8s. While you do that, I'll go chase a pheasant or two.

Can not understand why a 26”. Everybody knows the 28” is more in demand. When I was stocking Arrieta, Aya, Fair, my inventory almost exclusively 28” and above. The people at New England Custom guns are smart folks so can not understand this school of thought.


John Boyd
Quality Arms

As I understood it,for many years Ugartechea were using whatever parts were in the old factory which dictated their inventory ,perhaps the new operation is working from the same stock of actions,barrels etc,hence the lack of options.

Some years ago a well known dealer tried to sell my wife a 26 inch barreled 20 gauge. She would have none of it and told him that the barrels were too short. By her choice both of her guns bought after that dealer's attempted sale have 28 inch barrels.

I just came across this photo from the new Armas Ugartechea Facebook site, it looks like the boxlock being described in the NECG advertisement? New Ugartechea Boxlock (from their November 18, 2023 post). It appears to be the same shotgun as the previous AOC/SG model less the concave rib and ejectors? If I remember correctly, this shotgun with ejectors was selling for approx. $4000 back in 2012/2014.

Also, their Maura Special boxlock model in 410 gauge (from their April 5, 2021 post). Ugartechea Maura Special

_____
TC

Dodecagon barrels?

I think it's maybe just on the breech end of the barrels. It's hard to tell even when looking at the full length photo. I like the Ugartechea Maura model, however the one that I handled back in 2010 had the normal barrels, it was identical to the AOC/SG boxlock. Maybe the Dodecagon style barrels are what makes it the Special.

I would sure like to see a price listing for the new Ugartechea shotguns. At $5000 for a new boxlock, in my mind they are on the cusp of being unaffordable. The dealer I bought from in the past hasn't brought any Ugartecheas in yet. Maybe too expensive now to stock other than for just taking custom orders. It would be nice to handle a new one for a feel on quality.

______
TC

That clone of the Aspen Outfitters gun is way overpriced at $5K. Plain wood and unremarkable otherwise, it would be borderline at $3500. They'll learn...
JR

Ditto.
Perhaps a decade ago, in my case, and the guns are lingering at about the same money today that they were then. The English gun computer sites are awash in Spanish, non ejector boxlocks for less than £100. The stock could be fitted better on my copy, the bluing is ho-hum, but, it has nice case colors, amateur engraving that doesn’t make me want to puke, serviceable disc set strikers, weighs under 6 1/2 lbs, passed Spanish proof at 3”, and it goes bang when I pull the triggers. I didn’t feel bad opening the chokes and I won’t feel bad feeding it steel if they make me. A guy could do worse on a rainy day gun.

Mr. Robert’s dim viewpoint reflects a sad reality, I’m afraid. There is little market for a boxlock at $4K, anywhere.

Best,
Ted

Ted, maybe so, but the new Ugartechea boxlock would still be a bargain compared to a new AyA 4/53 entry level boxlock. AyA 4/53 Boxlock This AyA 4/53 entry level boxlock was selling for $8,000 in Canada a couple years ago, and they moved. Somebody must still be buying them. For me they are unaffordable as a new gun.

_____
TC

They may as well not bother. You can buy a round body Rizzini BR550 with ejectors, choke tubes, machine engraving for that. I have a 16ga with double triggers and left hand wood coming in the spring.

They moved alright. Back to Eibar and AyA...
JR

I don’t know about that, either. It is an expensive pain in the ass to own a gun for the typical Spaniard.

Best,
Ted

When myself and Jack Jansma of wingshooting adventures began bringing in the Aya 453 we retailed them at $1995. Man have things changed.

I am not sure about the price point of the Ugartechea at what they are asking. I think New England custom guns will be a tough road to go down. Also the 26” sell slower

I feel the Fair guns are much more interesting price point and they next step above that I would consider the B Rizzini guns

John Boyd
Quality Arms

I agree with John B. The Italian guns are where it’s at in that price range and you can also include the Beretta 486. I have both Rizzini variants and they are reliable with great handling. Optional 26”, 28”, and 30” barrels no problem.

Or the typical Canadian.
JR

I would seriously doubt that an American purchased the company unless he lived there or knew someone there to look after things


Sounds like a rumor, no name has come up

John
Quality Arms

About 10 years ago, I bought my only Spanish double, an Aspen Outfitting Co. Ugartechea Falcon 3 inch 12 ga. I knew nothing about it at the time, except that it just seemed way too cheap to pass up when I bought it in 95% condition at a gun show for a whole $225.00.

My intent at the time was to probably use it as trading stock for something else, but I'm happy that I kept it. Ted shared what he had learned about his Falcon. As he has said, it is a solid and not unattractive gun that can safely digest ammo I wouldn't think of running through my old vintage doubles. I hit really well with it, but it has mainly been used to eliminate starlings, grackles, and crows around the house.

Most of the Uggie Falcons I've seen have rather plain English walnut, but mine has a modest amount of figure, and decent 22 lpi cut checkering. I have since learned that the Aspen Outfitting guns were built with a bit better wood and finishing than the Dickson or Lion Country guns. The only downsides to me are that it has a beavertail forend, and I still haven't gotten around to removing the 1970's white line spacers at the butt and grip cap. That is on my to do list. I do like the Anson forend release that adds a touch of class.

I can't find close up images of the latest boxlocks that are selling for several thousand bucks. But my 50 year old Falcon seemed to have much better fit and checkering than the later Uggie boxlocks that were being sold roughly 20 years ago.

The new Ugartechea owner is named in the current edition of the UK magazine, 'The Field', Feb, 2024, pg 51, Spanish Shotguns article.
"Ugartechea has been acquired by a venture capitalist named Rafael A. Pinedo." Purchased in 2022. A Google search shows his corporation is headquartered in Dallas, Texas.
_____
TC

If the person who buys yours for 2.5K wants a pair tell him mine will be a perfect match!!!