Jay_Russell Posted November 9, 2014 Report Share Posted November 9, 2014 Hi guys bit of stab in the dark, today i had friend take me out for a little rough shooting. I used his old AYA 12g sidelock ejector double trigger sbs. I shot well with it and ive now been asked if i would like to buy it. thing is its been handed down to him and hes not sure which model it is. As i said 12g sbs sidelock ejector, lovely stock if a little short, lovely engraving and it has that lovely hardening colour. He thinks its late 1960's. anyway i can find out which model it is and its approx value? I should of taken a few pics! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thunderbird Posted November 9, 2014 Report Share Posted November 9, 2014 Email AYA with the serial number, they will get back to you within a few hours. aya@aya-fineguns.com Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jay_Russell Posted November 9, 2014 Author Report Share Posted November 9, 2014 Perfect thank you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thunderbird Posted November 9, 2014 Report Share Posted November 9, 2014 Maybe not on a Sunday though! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jay_Russell Posted November 9, 2014 Author Report Share Posted November 9, 2014 Hes asking 800 quid so i thought id better make sure its worth it. 100 quid id of just bought it.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wymberley Posted November 9, 2014 Report Share Posted November 9, 2014 Google 'aya serial numbers' and you'll get an immediate clue to year of manufacture. At the start of the 60s it would be c115287 and at the end, 378548. Should it be the earlier end and if it's in good nick, grab it as this is when they were producing superb work. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wymberley Posted November 9, 2014 Report Share Posted November 9, 2014 Hes asking 800 quid so i thought id better make sure its worth it. 100 quid id of just bought it.. Because of its outstanding condition (there's some photos on here somewhere) and for someone who knows what they're buying, then I figure my XXV boxlock of 1964 is worth somewhere about that figure, but I emphasize that the condition truly is as stated. Therefore, a sidelock provided it's in good nick,just has to be worth it and possibly somewhat more dependent upon the model. Can you recall if the locks were hand detachable? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jay_Russell Posted November 9, 2014 Author Report Share Posted November 9, 2014 Ill get him to text over the seriel number. How would you tell if the locks are detachable? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sishyplops Posted November 9, 2014 Report Share Posted November 9, 2014 (edited) It will have a little lever on the side plate, how long are the barrels is they are 25" it may well be an xxv (aya 25) but may also not be , could be a no2 if you google both of those then match up the look of yours hopefully you will find out, let us know £800 is a great price for either of the two guns mentioned Edited November 9, 2014 by sishyplops Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Westley Posted November 9, 2014 Report Share Posted November 9, 2014 That is the Left sideplate. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jay_Russell Posted November 9, 2014 Author Report Share Posted November 9, 2014 Ah it definately did not have the little lever. Id say the barrels were longer than 25 though. Hes away fishing till tues now so i wont know the numbers till then Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jay_Russell Posted November 10, 2014 Author Report Share Posted November 10, 2014 Ive just got the seriel number, It starts with 393 so its later than he thought. Ill send the full number off to AYA in the morning Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CharlesP Posted November 10, 2014 Report Share Posted November 10, 2014 (edited) A bit like this one then? http://auctions.holtsauctioneers.com/asp/fullCatalogue.asp?salelot=A1214+++1406+&refno=+++82222&saletype= The figure of £600 - £800 is what the auctioneers think the hammer price will be. With Holt's the lower figure is probably the reserve. Any purchaser will have to pay a buyer's premium of 25% on top of the hammer price. That example looks to be in good condition, and of course coming from Holt's you know it's in proof. Just before the auction they publish proof dimensions and wall thicknesses, which helps establish how much life may be left in the barrels. If you can borrow the one you're interested in you could take it to a proper gunsmith and get him to measure it up and check its general condition. A gun of this age and type is more susceptible to rust in the bores if not looked after.The bores should be spotless, of course. If at any time it has been pitted and had that pitting removed then it could be out of proof. A good gunsmith will also tell you if the action is good and tight, and if a sloppy action has been bodged (forend iron clobbered or lump clobbered) to make it feel tight temporarily. A loose stock can be a sign of trouble. An AYA sidelock is indeed a nice weapon; having said that it's a bit of an eye-opener with these to take a lock out and look at in direct comparison to the lock of a Holland & Holland sidelock, upon which the AYA is said to be based. If you do manage to do that compare the engraving, too. At any rate they always were (and still are) exceptional value for money, so much so that in my humble opinion the AYA range of side-by-side shotguns signed the death warrant for Webley & Scott among others quite soon after ASI introduced them. I remember reading Shooting Times back then and marvelling at the low cost. A good example shoots well and handles well. A mate of mine has just bought one. Edited November 10, 2014 by CharlesP Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jay_Russell Posted November 10, 2014 Author Report Share Posted November 10, 2014 It looks similar to that one yeah. Ill be taking it to a gunsmiths before i buy as it may need the firing pins doing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jay_Russell Posted November 11, 2014 Author Report Share Posted November 11, 2014 (edited) Well i had a very quick reply from AYA its a 1972 xxv/sl ejector which means its a 25 sidelock. So is it worth the 800 quid? Edited November 11, 2014 by Jay_Russell Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wymberley Posted November 11, 2014 Report Share Posted November 11, 2014 Well i had a very quick reply from AYA its a 1972 xxv/sl which means its a 25 sidelock. So is it worth the 800 quid? Be surprised if there's no "little lever". As you shot well with it - confidence is all - I wouldn't worry too much about the chokes but it might pay to get them checked (1/4 by 1/2 is the norm) while the GUNSMITH is checking it over and doing the firing pins. If all is well, then if you pay the money quoted when that work is done, you've got yourself a 'keeper'. However, just to come back to the chokes: Around about the time that the gun would have hit the market place - if not shortly after - light choking became the vogue and many game guns were opened up - TC by !mp not being uncommon. You don't say what it is you were shooting with success, but from experience, these barrels do not perform well at the very open end as above. Fine if you're shooting pheasant at the heights normal at that time but if you take it to a pigeon hide you will in all probability have a problem. By the sound of it, all is well but it is something to bear in mind. Your answer, in short, is yes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jay_Russell Posted November 11, 2014 Author Report Share Posted November 11, 2014 Thank you for the advice, im starting to think it did have the little lever there i just didnt pay any attention. I would use it mainly for a small driven syndicate im joining next season. No real prospect of high birds there, besides i believe in the sporting shot so i wouldnt even attempt them anyway. I really like the idea of traditional game shooting hence my consideration of this gun. Heres the link aya sent me http://www.aya-fineguns.com/detalles_en.php?wgo=62&wval=41&main=PROGRAM Hes happy for me to get the gun checked out at a gunsmiths before i pay a penny so i cant really go wrong. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
welshwarrior Posted November 11, 2014 Report Share Posted November 11, 2014 I would not worry to much about the chokes I shoot a TC Imp Cyl Westley Richards quite often and have no issue in the hide or game shooting, the pattern is key and some cartridges will pattern tight than others in your gun. £800 in good condition is a good price privately. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wymberley Posted November 11, 2014 Report Share Posted November 11, 2014 I would not worry to much about the chokes I shoot a TC Imp Cyl Westley Richards quite often and have no issue in the hide or game shooting, the pattern is key and some cartridges will pattern tight than others in your gun. Yep, but what length barrels? I opened up the identical gun but just 3 years younger to that of the one in question. Unfortunately, the gun shop made an absolute mess of the job - craters of the moon spring to mind! I had it properly corrected by a true 'smith but in doing so it ended up TC by barely Imp. I tried as many different cartridges that I could lay my hands on but the best I could get was 35% by TC. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bewsher500 Posted November 11, 2014 Report Share Posted November 11, 2014 condition is everything pay a decent gunsmith to fully appraise it, barrel thickness, choke, bore evaluation, check stocks for hairline cracks etc etc http://www.guntrader.co.uk/Guns-For-Sale/results.php?&Filter%5BNewType%5D%5B%5D=Shotgun&Filter%5BNewMechanism%5D%5B%5D=Side+by+Side&Filter%5BCalibre%5D%5B%5D=12+gauge&skipNo=0&sortField=Make&sortOrder=asc&perPage=1087 plenty here to compare with and all are well over your friend's requested price Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jay_Russell Posted November 11, 2014 Author Report Share Posted November 11, 2014 Cheers The price varies quite a lot from 900-1700 but fir 800 im happy. But as suggested ill take to my gunsmith to give it a once over. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnfromUK Posted November 11, 2014 Report Share Posted November 11, 2014 AyA's are good guns. I use one regularly. But, make sure you are happy with 25" barrels - as they are not everyone's 'cup of tea'. I would be inclined to see if you can try a 28" before you buy. 25" have limited appeal (also being rather 'out of fashion' at present) and if you do wish to move on will not part exchange as well as longer barrels. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sishyplops Posted November 11, 2014 Report Share Posted November 11, 2014 (edited) I've got a couple of ugartechea side by sides with 28" barrels if you want to try one , South norfolk near diss , AYA xxv are nice but very short , I would think if your shooting locally it will be ok , anything with a bit of height may well prove difficult though, I would make sure it's got some choke as others have said, my willly is longer than that ! Well that's what I told the missus lol The AYA is a well respected gun in the uk, but ugartechea is well respected in the USA but not so common here, you can have my sidelock 28" for £400 £ the boxlock for £125 two guns for less than the price of one Just a thought, your still more than welcome to try one just to check out the barrel length and how it feels Edited November 11, 2014 by sishyplops Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wymberley Posted November 11, 2014 Report Share Posted November 11, 2014 Did the OP right at the off not say that he shot well with it? I'm assuming by that that he was well pleased. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnfromUK Posted November 11, 2014 Report Share Posted November 11, 2014 Did the OP right at the off not say that he shot well with it? I'm assuming by that that he was well pleased. Indeed he did, but I still feel it would be wise for him to try different barrel lengths (if he hasn't already) because as stated, 25" isn't everyone's choice. It wasn't clear if the OP was an experienced shooter, used to a s/s or o/u, or a relative novice. 25" works well for some people and I have a friend who shoots very well with a 25", but I know several people who have tried and found it didn't suit them as well as longer barrels Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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