triumphant59 Posted February 19, 2010 Report Share Posted February 19, 2010 (edited) Been using a Berreta o/u for years (recently a Silver Pigeon 3 Ltd Game) for driven game shooting and even if I say so myself, shooting quite well. I've had an old English SLNE in my cabinet for years and threatened to take it out for nearly as many. Took the plunge last December and after having a particularly good morning thought I had nothing to lose, would give it a try in the afternoon. First drive 11 shots for 8 kills and if I hadn't pulled the front trigger twice on 2 occasions and fumbled about loading the non ejector it would have been more. The afternoon continued in a similar vien, I was smitten, I must get a S/S Ejector, the search was on. My preference was a sidelock, they just look nicer, probably an AYA No2 but after searching the net realised that if they havn't got 25" barrels (28" was my preference) they were quite expensive. As a boy my first ever gun was a Laurona BLE which was a well made gun, an old gunsmith (cobler actually but he mended guns as well as shoes) told me the Laurona was a better made gun than a Yoeman. I remembered Laurona had made a Sidelock back in the 70's, so had a look for one of those, found a nice one on the net but it had been sold before I could get to have a view. The search contined, Silver Sabel, there's a make I remember from my youth. Had a look and would you believe found one advertised on Sporting Guns website. It was a SLE, very reasonably priced, rang the guy and was told it was in very good condition, had belonged to his father and was now surplus to requirements. Twenty four hours later it was mine and yes it was in good condition, very tight, every thing worked, only downside was that the stock had at sometime been shortened and then lengthened using a lump of vulcanite shaped with a 9" angle grinder! A local gunsmith removed said extension and replaced it with a piece of Walnut. I then set about refinishing the stock, easier said than done, it had been given a coat of polyurathane varnish and it is a swine to remove! Got there in the end and after a week of wetting drying and sanding with finer grades of wet and dry, staining and then oiling was very pleased with the result, not the prettiest stock but nice finish. One thing that did amaze me on removing the stock was the quality of finish of the locks and internals. Pedro Gorosabel (the maker) really had done a fantastic job back in the 70's (I guess). Now for the test, first day out driven partridge at Aurbourn just South of Lincoln. 2nd and 3rd shots were a left and right ended up with 15 picked and 2 not for 27 shots. I've got a very nice gun that fits and handles a treat. Who wants an AYA? Just as an aside does anyone know how to date a Pedro Gorosable/Silver Sabel? Edited February 19, 2010 by triumphant59 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
joknob Posted February 19, 2010 Report Share Posted February 19, 2010 Been using a Berreta o/u for years (recently a Silver Pigeon 3 Ltd Game) for driven game shooting and even if I say so myself, shooting quite well. I've had an old English SLNE in my cabinet for years and threatened to take it out for nearly as many. Took the plunge last December and after having a particularly good morning thought I had nothing to loose, would give it a try in the afternoon. First drive 11 shots for 8 kills and if I hadn't pulled the front trigger twice on 2 occasions and fumbled about loading the non ejector it would have been more. The afternoon continued in a similar vien, I was smitten, I must get a S/S Ejector, the search was on. My preference was a sidelock, they just look nicer, probably an AYA No2 but after searching the net realised that if they havn't got 25" barrels (28" was my preference) they were quite expensive. As a boy my first ever gun was a Laurona BLE which was a well made gun, an old gunsmith (cobler actually but he mended guns as well as shoes) told me the Laurona was a better made gun than a Yoeman. I remembered Laurona had made a Sidelock back in the 70's, so had a look for one of those, found a nice one on the net but it had been sold before I could get to have a view. The search contined, Silver Sabel, there's a make I remember from my youth. Had a look and would you believe found one advertised on Sporting Guns website. It was a SLE, very reasonably priced, rang the guy and was told it was in very good condition, had belonged to his father and was now surplus to requirements. Twenty four hours later it was mine and yes it was in good condition, very tight, every thing worked, only downside was that the stock had at sometime been shortened and then lengthened using a lump of vulcanite shaped with a 9" angle grinder! A local gunsmith removed said extension and replaced it with a piece of Walnut. I then set about refinishing the stock, easier said than done, it had been given a coat of polyurathane varnish and it is a swine to remove! Got there in the end and after a week of wetting drying and sanding with finer grades of wet and dry, staining and then oiling was very pleased with the result, not the prettiest stock but nice finish. One thing that did amaize me on removing the stock was the quality of finish of the locks and internals. Pedro Gorosabel (the maker) really had done a fantastic job back in the 70's (I guess). Now for the test, first day out driven partridge at Aurbourn just South of Lincoln. 2nd and 3rd shots were a left and right ended up with 15 picked and 2 not for 27 shots. I've got a very nice gun that fits and handles a treat. Who wants an AYA? Just as an aside does anyone know how to date a Pedro Gorosable/Silver Sabel? there will b a letter and a number stamped on the flats,post and i will tell u .craig Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
triumphant59 Posted February 19, 2010 Author Report Share Posted February 19, 2010 Craig. Will check tonight, I know it is stamped with the 6 digit serial number and PG which is the stamp used by Pedro Gorosabel are you saying there should be another number as well? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
joknob Posted February 19, 2010 Report Share Posted February 19, 2010 Craig.Will check tonight, I know it is stamped with the 6 digit serial number and PG which is the stamp used by Pedro Gorosabel are you saying there should be another number as well? yes,if you go on google and type in PROOF DATE CODES it should come up HALLOWEL and Co,all the info for all guns is there.craig Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
triumphant59 Posted February 19, 2010 Author Report Share Posted February 19, 2010 [Thanks craig, its marked X1 which indicates 1978. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
joknob Posted February 19, 2010 Report Share Posted February 19, 2010 [Thanks craig, its marked X1 which indicates 1978. no prob mate craig Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
George1990 Posted February 21, 2010 Report Share Posted February 21, 2010 I got a Silver Sabel SLNE for Christmas, fixed at half and full. Must say it swings very nicely and is a joy to shoot. I will have to check how old it is. Stock is a bit short for me but that is easily sorted. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
triumphant59 Posted February 21, 2010 Author Report Share Posted February 21, 2010 Suprised they made a SLNE, thought anyone paying the extra for a Sidelock would have wanted an ejector, but then I have a SLNE by G E Lewis and the same theory would have applied then I guess. Your right the Sabel definately handles really well, mine is choked 1/4 and 1/2. How long is your stock? mine had been shortened to about 13 1/4" at some time, I've had it lengthened to 14 3/4" so a wooden extension was really my only option. Usually Spanish guns came with 14 1/2". Interesting to see how old yours is. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
George1990 Posted February 22, 2010 Report Share Posted February 22, 2010 It's the original length as it hasn't been altered, so probably 14 1/2". I was after a non ejector so it suits me . First time I'd used a sidelock and the trigger pulls are nicer than my O/U boxlock. Will be a couple of weeks before I'm home to find the age, but I am very interested to know so will post when I find out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
George1990 Posted March 9, 2010 Report Share Posted March 9, 2010 Had a look and the only thing that I could find that matches the proof date table is 01, which would suggest 2001. I personally think it is older than that but couldn't find anything else on it that matches the table. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
joknob Posted March 9, 2010 Report Share Posted March 9, 2010 Had a look and the only thing that I could find that matches the proof date table is 01, which would suggest 2001. I personally think it is older than that but couldn't find anything else on it that matches the table. 01 is 1970,and q1 is 1972,could it be any of those? craig Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
George1990 Posted March 10, 2010 Report Share Posted March 10, 2010 Thanks Craig, that sounds far more plausible. The only other marks are PG then serial number, 12-70, 18.6 and 900 kgs. Not sure what the 18.6 bit means though. Ta Craig Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Harnser Posted March 10, 2010 Report Share Posted March 10, 2010 (edited) I too have a silver sabel side lock ejector in very good condition ,mine has the churchill rib and the cocking indicators . These guns filled a niche market in the seventys , for people who wanted the feel and the handling of an english side lock but didnt want to spend english side lock money . They were not cheap guns when new and were very well made and finished . Just about all the pundits of the day rated them very highly and they were usually described as the best and most honest copy of an english sidelock . If you get the chance to buy one you will you will not be dissapointed .Harnser . Edited March 10, 2010 by Harnser Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
George1990 Posted March 10, 2010 Report Share Posted March 10, 2010 Is the Churchhiil rib the raised or non-raised one? My rib is raised all the way down and very narrow. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Harnser Posted March 10, 2010 Report Share Posted March 10, 2010 Is the Churchhiil rib the raised or non-raised one? My rib is raised all the way down and very narrow. Its the raised rib and has allways been very popular with game shooters . Yours definately sounds like the churchill rib . Harnser . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
George1990 Posted March 10, 2010 Report Share Posted March 10, 2010 Ta. Though not sure I believe a word you say now haha Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
outside Posted March 12, 2010 Report Share Posted March 12, 2010 I inherited a Gold Sabel, I have tried a lot of guns, but this is my favourite. Not sure of the difference, mine has a figured stock, and is an easy opener. It is also the first gun I have ever used where the comb is high enough for me! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Greenhunter Posted March 12, 2010 Report Share Posted March 12, 2010 (edited) Ahh, the memories... a sliver sable was my first ever sbs! I bought it in the 70's and have fond memories of it. Particularly doing 49 x 50 at a local clay shoot. Pity I can't shoot that well these days. Cost £60 then, about 3X my weekly wage!! GH Edited March 12, 2010 by Greenhunter Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
triumphant59 Posted March 12, 2010 Author Report Share Posted March 12, 2010 Would you be interested in selling it? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
George1990 Posted March 13, 2010 Report Share Posted March 13, 2010 Would I? Not really. Unless of course the price was right Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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