matone Posted January 21, 2019 Report Share Posted January 21, 2019 12 minutes ago, arjimlad said: A little report of my shooting over the weekend if I may indulge.. I had been growing a bit despondent about shooting my 1974 Gunmark Merlin (Vincenzo Bernardelli) recently. I'd not been having all that much success with it compared to my Browning 525, although the stock length is the same. On Saturday though, it was pressed into service as my son was also invited to shoot with me, and he used the Browning. On the first drive I dropped a very nice clean hen bird with the gun. On the second drive I missed two close birds (and was duly ribbed at the coffee break). But on the third drive I dropped a great fast partridge crossing behind me. My son also shot his first partridge at a good height crossing from right to left over his head, and was beaming for the rest of the day. Come the final drive of the day I was stationed in a hot-spot - and lo & behold I started to connect with the birds really well. I was killing them a good way out front. So on Sunday I took the old girl clay shooting, and did the usual 50 bird sporting. We don't keep scores as such but I was happy & confident with how I shot with the gun at last. I don't know what changed, I was using the same shells as before - just something seemed to really click this weekend. I guess I have got used to the different sight picture of the gun compared with the Browning, although I have always shot SBS and OU. Thoughts of selling the gun for a different model are shelved. Happy days ! Lovely guns Merlins ,very fast handling ! Great for proper partridges & grouse !!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
arjimlad Posted January 21, 2019 Report Share Posted January 21, 2019 2 hours ago, matone said: Lovely guns Merlins ,very fast handling ! Great for proper partridges & grouse !!! Thanks - yes - it is very light & responsive ... perhaps that has been one of my problems with it. I will keep practising ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sereremo Posted January 21, 2019 Report Share Posted January 21, 2019 (edited) Very interesting hunting report! About the shotgun, F.lli Rizzini di Magno mod.R2e are probability the most interesting A&D produced in Italy. Edited January 21, 2019 by Sereremo Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sereremo Posted January 24, 2019 Report Share Posted January 24, 2019 Here some of my S&S in order to see the differences. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
matone Posted January 24, 2019 Report Share Posted January 24, 2019 On 21/01/2019 at 20:43, Sereremo said: Very interesting hunting report! About the shotgun, F.lli Rizzini di Magno mod.R2e are probability the most interesting A&D produced in Italy. That looks a very nice gun,lovely workmanship. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DUNKS Posted January 30, 2019 Report Share Posted January 30, 2019 Just got myself yet another side by side. "must stop" Brought into the gunshop as an unnamed Spanish gun. No name anywhere on it! Was priced up as such. "Fortunately for me"! Now know that it's an Armas Garby made in 1976. Looks as if it's been a cabinet queen.271/2 inch barrels, choked half and full with 70mm chambers. Weighs in at 61/2 pounds. Garby only make bespoke guns so gun was obviously ordered to be without a name but Garby have confirmed that it's one of theirs. Shot a few clays with it and it handles beautifully. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
matone Posted January 30, 2019 Report Share Posted January 30, 2019 5 minutes ago, DUNKS said: Just got myself yet another side by side. "must stop" Brought into the gunshop as an unnamed Spanish gun. No name anywhere on it! Was priced up as such. "Fortunately for me"! Now know that it's an Armas Garby made in 1976. Looks as if it's been a cabinet queen.271/2 inch barrels, choked half and full with 70mm chambers. Weighs in at 61/2 pounds. Garby only make bespoke guns so gun was obviously ordered to be without a name but Garby have confirmed that it's one of theirs. Shot a few clays with it and it handles beautifully. Is that the one that Hadfield had ? Beautiful gun! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DUNKS Posted January 30, 2019 Report Share Posted January 30, 2019 Yep. Cheeky sod says he knows he under sold it. Wants another £1000. Worth having a peek at his new gunshop. He is a great guy.! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Milo Posted January 30, 2019 Report Share Posted January 30, 2019 That's a corker. Something about buying side by sides is addictive once you start. Not dissimilar to pigeon shooting. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
matone Posted January 30, 2019 Report Share Posted January 30, 2019 14 minutes ago, DUNKS said: Yep. Cheeky sod says he knows he under sold it. Wants another £1000. Worth having a peek at his new gunshop. He is a great guy.! Seems to price things to sell rather than running a museum !lol. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sereremo Posted January 31, 2019 Report Share Posted January 31, 2019 (edited) Interesting shotgun. It has a similar Royal pattern engraving, hand detachable sidelock in a beautiful condition. Very good !! Edited January 31, 2019 by Sereremo Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
winnie&bezza Posted January 31, 2019 Report Share Posted January 31, 2019 Lovely gun Dunks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
theshootist Posted January 31, 2019 Report Share Posted January 31, 2019 That's a very nice find - I presume the quality is similar to an AYA number 1? Or is it even better? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wymberley Posted January 31, 2019 Report Share Posted January 31, 2019 14 hours ago, DUNKS said: Yep. Cheeky sod says he knows he under sold it. Wants another £1000. Worth having a peek at his new gunshop. He is a great guy.! Habit? He said the same thing about the Williamson that my step-son bought Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DUNKS Posted January 31, 2019 Report Share Posted January 31, 2019 31 minutes ago, wymberley said: Habit? He said the same thing about the Williamson that my step-son bought I think he just likes to let you know what a bargain you got.! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DUNKS Posted February 1, 2019 Report Share Posted February 1, 2019 (edited) 21 hours ago, theshootist said: That's a very nice find - I presume the quality is similar to an AYA number 1? Or is it even better? Quality is I am sure just about the same. Specs of course are different. Garbi only produce around 60 guns a year with a workforce of seven. My gun is similar spec to the current model which costs £22,000 As all the guns are bespoke it's difficult to price up. Edited February 1, 2019 by DUNKS Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
theshootist Posted February 1, 2019 Report Share Posted February 1, 2019 You must be very chuffed. I've always regretted not buying a pair of Arrieta XXVs, there are some superb Spanish guns. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MacSxS Posted February 8, 2019 Report Share Posted February 8, 2019 I think I qualify now, just been up to Wabbitbosher's to buy a sbs. and I came away with 2!!! I'm sure he has the eyes of Kaa ( snake in jungle book) but what a top bloke, anyway they are not expensive guns, but I would like to find a little about them if anybody can help. it would be great if anyone could tell me the year of manufacture or point me in the direction where I can find out for myself. they are :- AYA Yeoman serial number 577167 ( in very good condition apart from the wood, looks like it has spent more time hammering fence post than firing cartridges) AYA Viscount De Luxe serial number 578224 ejector ( also in good condition ) there is only 1000ish between the 2 so guessing they was made roughly the same time like I said not the most expensive or interesting, but these are my first sbs's, looking forward to trying them out on the pigeons in the coming weeks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TIGHTCHOKE Posted February 8, 2019 Report Share Posted February 8, 2019 Email AYA and give them the serial numbers, they are very good at letting you know what they know! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrPhantom Posted February 8, 2019 Report Share Posted February 8, 2019 30 minutes ago, marcus almond said: I think I qualify now, just been up to Wabbitbosher's to buy a sbs. and I came away with 2!!! I'm sure he has the eyes of Kaa ( snake in jungle book) but what a top bloke, anyway they are not expensive guns, but I would like to find a little about them if anybody can help. it would be great if anyone could tell me the year of manufacture or point me in the direction where I can find out for myself. they are :- AYA Yeoman serial number 577167 ( in very good condition apart from the wood, looks like it has spent more time hammering fence post than firing cartridges) AYA Viscount De Luxe serial number 578224 ejector ( also in good condition ) there is only 1000ish between the 2 so guessing they was made roughly the same time like I said not the most expensive or interesting, but these are my first sbs's, looking forward to trying them out on the pigeons in the coming weeks. Mid ‘80’s according to this link http://www.shotguns.se/html/aya_serial_numbers.html Never heard of a Viscount by AYA - put some piccies up! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MacSxS Posted February 8, 2019 Report Share Posted February 8, 2019 thanks chaps, i will put some pics up tomorrow. i don't think the viscount is anything special, it is an ejector with a very very plane silver finish, Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gunman Posted February 9, 2019 Report Share Posted February 9, 2019 Ahhh . The questions you never ask in the shop . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Budice Posted February 13, 2019 Report Share Posted February 13, 2019 Has anyone come across a Harrier SbS double trigger before? Only asking as i have one and would like to know more about it TIA Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
matone Posted February 14, 2019 Report Share Posted February 14, 2019 Made for and sold by Gunmark .There will be a makers mark on the action/barrel flats somewhere. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Budice Posted February 14, 2019 Report Share Posted February 14, 2019 13 hours ago, matone said: Made for and sold by Gunmark .There will be a makers mark on the action/barrel flats somewhere. OK thanks for info. I'll dig it out over the weekend and post some pics, see if anyone knows who would have made it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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