AYA guns?

[wildfowler.250]

So my understanding is that aya make good side by sides. But some are only a few hundred and others are thousands? Can someone explain the different models and costs ect?

 

[b16jus]

its mainly boxlock #4 or sidelock #2 and then ago comes into play there are other models yeoman etc but so be honest id just get a nice condition number 4

[JJsDad]

The lower end (entry level) SxS Yeomans and the No: 3 (non-ejector) have now I beleive been dropped from the range. Albeit, you can still pick them up second hand. Which leaves the No: 4 as the basic starter in the range.

They then make a boxlock and sidelock 25in, which are both nice little guns if you can get on with the 25in barrels.

The No: 2 sidelock is now produced with a square or rounded bar to the action and in a standard or de-luxe form. The later where at one stage engraved, blacked and finished over here; not sure if this is still the case. Their No: 1 model is generally regarded as their flagship model, with gold washed locks, finer engraving and better wood. There is also a de-luxe version.

They also built a Senior model based on the Beesley (Purdey) action which would fool most people if it had not been for the AYA name on the rib. These are very rare ( about only 40 were made) and due to the prohibitive cost of making the action I dont think they have continued production. If you are not now totally confused; they did a variation on the No: 2 called the Countryman with a more simple engraving pattern and less fancy wood. You will also occasionally see a single trigger 722 which was aimed to suit the SxS clay shooter. You will also find variations such as the No: 2 in 3in magnum. There have also been a number of imports of SxSs by people bringing back guns that were originally only produced for the European market or the US.

As a general rule of thumb, a sidelock is more expencive to make than a boxlock. What you are paying for as you move up the range is more attention to the degree of hand finishing; together with better wood and finer more profuse engraving. In the case of the No: 1 and the de-luxe it is also highly likely that you would be measured up and the stock is shaped to your required measurements.

Edited November 26, 2012 by JJsDad

[wildfowler.250]

Thank you very much, very helpful

[darren m]

was there ever a AYA no1 or was that the yeoman

[welshwarrior]

The lower end (entry level) SxS Yeomans and the No: 3 (non-ejector) have now I beleive been dropped from the range. Albeit, you can still pick them up second hand. Which leaves the No: 4 as the basic starter in the range.

They then make a boxlock and sidelock 25in, which are both nice little guns if you can get on with the 25in barrels.

The No: 2 sidelock is now produced with a square or rounded bar to the action and in a standard or de-luxe form. The later where at one stage engraved, blacked and finished over here; not sure if this is still the case. Their No: 1 model is generally regarded as their flagship model, with gold washed locks, finer engraving and better wood. There is also a de-luxe version.

They also built a Senior model based on the Beesley (Purdey) action which would fool most people if it had not been for the AYA name on the rib. These are very rare ( about only 40 were made) and due to the prohibitive cost of making the action I dont think they have continued production. If you are not now totally confused; they did a variation on the No: 2 called the Countryman with a more simple engraving pattern and less fancy wood. You will also occasionally see a single trigger 722 which was aimed to suit the SxS clay shooter. You will also find variations such as the No: 2 in 3in magnum. There have also been a number of imports of SxSs by people bringing back guns that were originally only produced for the European market or the US.

As a general rule of thumb, a sidelock is more expencive to make than a boxlock. What you are paying for as you move up the range is more attention to the degree of hand finishing; together with better wood and finer more profuse engraving. In the case of the No: 1 and the de-luxe it is also highly likely that you would be measured up and the stock is shaped to your required measurements.

 

To confusing thing further you can have a no2 with no1 wood if you prefer simpler engraving

[JohnfromUK]

was there ever a AYA no1 or was that the yeoman

No. 1 Is a 'high end' sidelock Holland and Holland clone, significantly more expensive than No 2 and available in various forms (different engraving, round action etc) as the most expensive current side by side model. 2nd hand examples come up from time to time, but nowhere near as often as the more competitively priced No 2. The Senior is no longer made, but was the range topper in the 1980s. These Seniors rarely come up for sale and were originally MUCH more expensive than the contemporary No 1.

[wildfowler.250]

So if you want a quality aya go for the no. 2? Rather than pay through the nose for a no. 1?

 

 

Not that I could affor it

[JohnfromUK]

They are all good sound guns, as are the AyA boxlocks

[alros01]

I've got the aya number3 none ejector with a 26 inch barrel and I think they are good old guns I got mine from a game fair for £100 and I thought that was a bargain because its very clean

[Catweazle]

I've got the aya number3 none ejector with a 26 inch barrel and I think they are good old guns I got mine from a game fair for £100 and I thought that was a bargain because its very clean

 

I have the same model, made about 1960. It's plain, but light and reliable - a great gun to have with you if you're working in the woods and don't want your best gun getting muddy or dinged up.

[wildfowler.250]

Out of interest, how much would a S/H no 2 be roughly? For a decent condition?

 

I do quite fancy one but guranteed it'll get taken down to the shore

[alros01]

I've seen them for sale anywhere between £900 to over £100 they seem to hold there money well have a look on gun trader the gun shop near me has a good one in gardners guns Carlisle give them a ring

[wildfowler.250]

Cheers

[haggis]

I have a countryman its a lovely gun. Its taking me a while to get used to shooting sbs from a over/under though and have thought about selling it but its too nice looking,Im sure it would be ideal for pigeons if I had a farm to shoot on.

[chady]

I have a o/u coral deluxe dose any one know where these fit in in the aya range??

[triumphant59]

I have a o/u coral deluxe dose any one know where these fit in in the aya range??

 

They were a copy of a german Merkel. Good gun but looks wise a bit of an aquired taste.

 

So if you want a quality aya go for the no. 2? Rather than pay through the nose for a no. 1?

 

 

Not that I could affor it

 

No1 has better engraving than No2 and also they use better quality steel for barrels on a No1. So you get what you pay for.

[triumphant59]

So my understanding is that aya make good side by sides. But some are only a few hundred and others are thousands? Can someone explain the different models and costs ect?

 

There are no new AyA's available for hundreds any more. Entry No4 Boxlock ejector is £2000+. Remember you are buying a hand made gun, not machine made Turkish rubbish!

[Rimfireboy]

That's good info there, very useful stuff. Been looking out for a sxs myself.

[AYA117]

Don't forget the other sidelocks,like the 56,53,117,116 and 112.Would be lovely to have one of each

[kennett]

Hopefully this has all been cleared up over the intervening 4 years!

[oldypigeonpopper]

Out of interest, how much would a S/H no 2 be roughly? For a decent condition?

 

I do quite fancy one but guranteed it'll get taken down to the shore

hello, AYA were leaders in the 1960s70s for imported shotguns my yeoman was £38, by all means get a number 2 a classic side lock but if your fowling check chamber length? am sure AYA did some boxlocks more suited, some time back had a nostalgic moment and was looking for a 25 XXV boxlock was offered some nice examples but alas not in my budget but hey i found a XXV type victor S sidelock, got a clean and re grease and gun shoots good, if i only did

[TONY R]

Out of interest an old wildfowler i used to know did in his latter years sell all his big bore guns and english guns, he only kept one shotgun it was a 30 inch AYA 3 inch chambered hammer gun, that gun in his hands was a pinks worst nightmare he used to call this gun.... OLD FAITHFULL .. he certainky could use that thing.

Never paid that much attention to it at the time he died in the late 80s and was about 89 years old, the gun looked in nice condition i would guess it was not that old at the time maybe 20 years old at the most.

Gun was pretty plain jame coloured hardend locks not a plated action prince of wales semi pistol grip and had sling swivels.

Anybody want to take a guess of a model number for this i aleways wanted to know and never asked.

Only AYA 3 inch hammer i ever saw cant be that common unless they were very old perhaps anyone know anything about them?

[dipper]

IIf I could pick a Aya gun it would be 56 very rare gun over here.Dipper.

[AYA117]

Think there was two AYA hammer guns produced,the model 110 and 220 not sure if they were available in 3".There are 2 model 56s for sale on Guntrader one for £2,500 and £6,150 think I might forget those two !!!!!!!!