Gibbybox Posted October 10, 2021 Report Share Posted October 10, 2021 Hi folks, Was down at Westlands Country Club at Annan today shooting the sporting and watching Digweed do his stuff, great day all round and would thoroughly recommend the ground. Spent a while in their fantastic gunroom and ended up taking this AYA No4 Best Quality Boxlock home. Wasn’t until the deal was done that the salesman produced the case so that was a nice bonus. Paid £1000 for it which is twice what my beretta 686 cost but I can really appreciate the quality of the wood in particular. Can anyone help with any info on the gun? From the serial I reckon it’s between 1984-87 but apart from that I can’t find much about the ‘best quality’ model online? Can’t wait to try it on the pheasants on the first syndicate day in a fortnights time! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
enfieldspares Posted October 10, 2021 Report Share Posted October 10, 2021 (edited) First off that case alone, today, would not give much change from £200 plus if new. So you've stolen the gun for £800. The wood assuming it is as nice on the "outer side" as on the "inner side" would cost maybe £350 for the blank today. So now your gun is £450. Which means you've got what is now sold by AyA for five figures (it is a Model 4 DE LUXE as you've asked) for a twentieth of the price. http://www.aya-fineguns.com/product/aya-no-4-de-luxe-2/ My advice? Buy a lottery scratchcard on the way out to the pub or off -licence or wherever. A lucky day like you've just had doesn't come along often! The only advice I'd give is to see what patterns it shoots as it may be quite tight? See how many "star" maks on the underside of the barrels just in front of the breech flats to get an idea. Edited October 10, 2021 by enfieldspares Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WalkedUp Posted October 10, 2021 Report Share Posted October 10, 2021 That is a lovely lovely gun. I’m not sure if the market rates but £1000 for that beauty is good value to me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
London Best Posted October 10, 2021 Report Share Posted October 10, 2021 9 minutes ago, enfieldspares said: First off that case alone, today, would not give much change from £200 plus if new. With respect, I think you underestimate the price of the case sir. I bought a new canvas motor case from Brady’s in 1990 and it cost me £160 then. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sam triple Posted October 10, 2021 Report Share Posted October 10, 2021 V nice indeed lucky man Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gibbybox Posted October 10, 2021 Author Report Share Posted October 10, 2021 Thanks for the support folks. Will get a photo of the other side of the stock tomorrow, but I reckon it’s equally as nice. Choke wise the salesman gauged it to be 1/4 and slightly more than 1/4 but not as much as 1/2. Will suit me fine for my range on the game days. Planning to try it on a few clays at home and maybe even a pattern plate or two to check I’m on the ball before taking it to the live stuff. Funny thing is I was looking for a 20g for the Mrs all afternoon and it was just as we were leaving the salesman was talking about fashions and how he had a lovely AYA in and couldn’t believe it hadn’t been snapped up. Quick swing and I knew it had to come home with me! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
enfieldspares Posted October 10, 2021 Report Share Posted October 10, 2021 Nice gun for an ounce of sixes IMHO. Or ditto sevens if expecting woodcock (latterly after the first falls) and partridge (currently). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave at kelton Posted October 11, 2021 Report Share Posted October 11, 2021 Yes saw this and glad it has gone to an appreciative home. Contact AYA as they are generally very helpful. Westlands is a great ground and with the new facilities takes some beating. So glad it’s on my door step. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
benbobailey Posted October 11, 2021 Report Share Posted October 11, 2021 10 hours ago, Gibbybox said: Hi folks, Was down at Westlands Country Club at Annan today shooting the sporting and watching Digweed do his stuff, great day all round and would thoroughly recommend the ground. Spent a while in their fantastic gunroom and ended up taking this AYA No4 Best Quality Boxlock home. Wasn’t until the deal was done that the salesman produced the case so that was a nice bonus. Paid £1000 for it which is twice what my beretta 686 cost but I can really appreciate the quality of the wood in particular. Can anyone help with any info on the gun? From the serial I reckon it’s between 1984-87 but apart from that I can’t find much about the ‘best quality’ model online? Can’t wait to try it on the pheasants on the first syndicate day in a fortnights time! Hello gibbybox, I am the previous owner of this gun, very pleased it's gone to an appreciative home. It is a genuine , well maintained and faultless gun, recently serviced via Dale at ASI the importers. I also had some stock work done by PW member demonwolf444. I had a lot of pleasure with the gun and it was sold with a little regret, but life goes on. I had the barrels properly measured a few years ago and I thought I left the report in the case, maybe not. From memory both walls were 25 th plus... right barrel was 8th (imp/1/4) and left barrel was 15th (1/4..1/2). Hope you enjoy the gun. Regards Ps. It hits the tower birds at Westlands with 24g 7's, no excuses 😀 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scully Posted October 11, 2021 Report Share Posted October 11, 2021 Very very nice. I debated all week whether to go, but mate was working and I’m not keen on shooting clays on my own. It looks like one of those guns which would leave you tossing and turning all night if you’d left the gun room without it! 🙂 Have fun. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Old Boggy Posted October 11, 2021 Report Share Posted October 11, 2021 Lovely gun that and at a good price as has been said. The stock work by James (Demonwolf444) is what we have come to expect from his skill and expertise. Absolutely stunning. Enjoy owning and using the gun. OB Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gerry78 Posted October 11, 2021 Report Share Posted October 11, 2021 20 hours ago, Gibbybox said: Hi folks, Was down at Westlands Country Club at Annan today shooting the sporting and watching Digweed do his stuff, great day all round and would thoroughly recommend the ground. Spent a while in their fantastic gunroom and ended up taking this AYA No4 Best Quality Boxlock home. Wasn’t until the deal was done that the salesman produced the case so that was a nice bonus. Paid £1000 for it which is twice what my beretta 686 cost but I can really appreciate the quality of the wood in particular. Can anyone help with any info on the gun? From the serial I reckon it’s between 1984-87 but apart from that I can’t find much about the ‘best quality’ model online? Can’t wait to try it on the pheasants on the first syndicate day in a fortnights time! Fantastic gun will give you years of service perfect for pheasants With what you said think 🤔 the gun was meant for you 👍Would like to see some photos of it with pheasants if possible Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
benbobailey Posted October 11, 2021 Report Share Posted October 11, 2021 21 hours ago, Gibbybox said: Hi folks, Was down at Westlands Country Club at Annan today shooting the sporting and watching Digweed do his stuff, great day all round and would thoroughly recommend the ground. Spent a while in their fantastic gunroom and ended up taking this AYA No4 Best Quality Boxlock home. Wasn’t until the deal was done that the salesman produced the case so that was a nice bonus. Paid £1000 for it which is twice what my beretta 686 cost but I can really appreciate the quality of the wood in particular. Can anyone help with any info on the gun? From the serial I reckon it’s between 1984-87 but apart from that I can’t find much about the ‘best quality’ model online? Can’t wait to try it on the pheasants on the first syndicate day in a fortnights time! Gibbybox, when this gun was made, it was marketed as the no4 deluxe self opener. Not the more recent best quality boxlock model. Regards Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gibbybox Posted October 11, 2021 Author Report Share Posted October 11, 2021 11 hours ago, benbobailey said: Hello gibbybox, I am the previous owner of this gun, very pleased it's gone to an appreciative home. It is a genuine , well maintained and faultless gun, recently serviced via Dale at ASI the importers. I also had some stock work done by PW member demonwolf444. I had a lot of pleasure with the gun and it was sold with a little regret, but life goes on. I had the barrels properly measured a few years ago and I thought I left the report in the case, maybe not. From memory both walls were 25 th plus... right barrel was 8th (imp/1/4) and left barrel was 15th (1/4..1/2). Hope you enjoy the gun. Regards Ps. It hits the tower birds at Westlands with 24g 7's, no excuses 😀 Delighted to have made contact, it’s a small world after all! The gun is a credit to you, lovely condition and the stock work done by @demonwolf444explains why I was blown away by the finish. I took a couple more photos tonight by the fire but they don’t do it justice. I’m the first of the shooting group to buy a SxS and at 28 years old I look forward to many seasons ahead with it. Will report back with game photos when the syndicate gets going. Really chuffed to have found out a bit more of the history behind the gun, I’ll take good care of it 👍🏻 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
benbobailey Posted October 11, 2021 Report Share Posted October 11, 2021 Gibbybox, I hope you have as much pleasure as I did from the gun, really pleased its found a good home. I didnt leave Westlands empty handed on Sunday either, I had good fortune to win the raffle. Unfortunately it wasnt a new gun, but a lovely shooting themed cake! Regards Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
enfieldspares Posted October 11, 2021 Report Share Posted October 11, 2021 (edited) 2 hours ago, Gibbybox said: Delighted to have made contact, it’s a small world after all! The gun is a credit to you, lovely condition and the stock work done by @demonwolf444explains why I was blown away by the finish. I took a couple more photos tonight by the fire but they don’t do it justice. I’m the first of the shooting group to buy a SxS and at 28 years old I look forward to many seasons ahead with it. Will report back with game photos when the syndicate gets going. Really chuffed to have found out a bit more of the history behind the gun, I’ll take good care of it 👍🏻 Well! What's to say! That's a Holland's 1922 Patent type self-opening "tube" under the two barrels. I had a pair of 16 Bore single trigger sidelocks with the same system once upon a time. It is IMHO a better and simpler and more easily set up system than Beesley's that Purdey uses. My two French Manufrance boxlocks use a similar "Frenchified" adaptation. A skilled gunsmith or springmaker can put in a different spring strength to set the gun as an easy opener or a self opener. At twenty-eight years old that is a gun to have many happy years of use and to eventually to pass on to a coming generation. My only advice would be to please don't succumb to any stupid suggestions to have the thing sent for steel proof! You've a gun a gun that deserves to be serviced (when the time comes) with bismuth not steel. It is in truth what was once known with some pride by such makers as a "best boxlock"....for that is what it is a true "best boxlock"....all that a man of taste could ever wish for in a sporting gun. It is, to repeat, a really really nice gun. A "best boxlock". Something now that rarely will ever be seen again. Edited October 11, 2021 by enfieldspares Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
London Best Posted October 12, 2021 Report Share Posted October 12, 2021 Gibbybox, I don’t know if you have used one before, but if not you will find a self-opener a revelation when driven partridge or grouse come thick and fast. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mowdy Posted October 12, 2021 Report Share Posted October 12, 2021 Surprised westlands was actually open in the circumstances with the owner ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
benbobailey Posted October 12, 2021 Report Share Posted October 12, 2021 2 hours ago, mowdy said: Surprised westlands was actually open in the circumstances with the owner ? ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
enfieldspares Posted October 12, 2021 Report Share Posted October 12, 2021 There's a different way to reload a self opener. The gun stays always in the right hand and as the barrels drop the left hand reaches for the new cartridges to insert. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnfromUK Posted October 12, 2021 Report Share Posted October 12, 2021 12 minutes ago, enfieldspares said: There's a different way to reload a self opener. The gun stays always in the right hand and as the barrels drop the left hand reaches for the new cartridges to insert. Correct, but if you have small hands, its hard to do! My late godfather always did it with his guns (Purdey) and kept two cartridges between the knuckles of the left hand; he was VERY fast reloading. I cannot easily manage it with my Atkin spring opener, or at all on my AyA self opener. I can't move the thumb of the right hand far enough to the right with my fingers around the wrist. The AyA has a pistol grip, making it even harder. Incidentally, I have head that AyA's BQBL is the best handling of all AyA models. Self opening was a not inexpensive optional extra I believe. Very nice gun. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
matone Posted October 12, 2021 Report Share Posted October 12, 2021 A gun to be treasured. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
benbobailey Posted October 12, 2021 Report Share Posted October 12, 2021 50 minutes ago, JohnfromUK said: Correct, but if you have small hands, its hard to do! My late godfather always did it with his guns (Purdey) and kept two cartridges between the knuckles of the left hand; he was VERY fast reloading. I cannot easily manage it with my Atkin spring opener, or at all on my AyA self opener. I can't move the thumb of the right hand far enough to the right with my fingers around the wrist. The AyA has a pistol grip, making it even harder. Incidentally, I have head that AyA's BQBL is the best handling of all AyA models. Self opening was a not inexpensive optional extra I believe. Very nice gun. Hello John, for clarity and a minor detail, this gun is an Aya deluxe no 4, the predecessor of the bqbl. Regards Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnfromUK Posted October 12, 2021 Report Share Posted October 12, 2021 3 minutes ago, benbobailey said: Hello John, for clarity and a minor detail, this gun is an Aya deluxe no 4, the predecessor of the bqbl. Regards Are there any significant differences apart from name? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
London Best Posted October 12, 2021 Report Share Posted October 12, 2021 (edited) 1 hour ago, JohnfromUK said: Correct, but if you have small hands, its hard to do! My late godfather always did it with his guns (Purdey) and kept two cartridges between the knuckles of the left hand; he was VERY fast reloading. I learned (was taught) to do that when reloading double guns, and I have often done it when shooting myself if on a heavy peg when shooting partridges, but I keep two cartridges between the fingers of my left and right hands. Unfortunately, it looks greedy on the sort of day I can afford to shoot, so I don’t do it so much now. edit to say: I have fingers like cow’s tits. Edited October 12, 2021 by London Best Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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