AyA No 53 fit and finish

[Matabele]

Hello everyone,

I'm interested in trying to understand the level to which this model of gun from AyA was finished. Were they made to the same standard as a No2, a No1 or somewhere inbetween? I think the No 56 seems to be finished to a higher standard but there's not that much information around on the No 53.

Any 53 owners out there, I'd love to see some pics and hear your thoughts.

Thanks!

 

[rookhawk]

Hello everyone,

I'm interested in trying to understand the level to which this model of gun from AyA was finished. Were they made to the same standard as a No2, a No1 or somewhere inbetween? I think the No 56 seems to be finished to a higher standard but there's not that much information around on the No 53.

Any 53 owners out there, I'd love to see some pics and hear your thoughts.

Thanks!

There are infinite differences in AyA shotguns. Their quality and features changed somewhat randomly through many eras. I owned a Number 53 that was far more ornate than a Number 2, mine having been purchased directly at the factory by the original owner when on vacation in the 1960s. It was a stunner. The early-2000s era boxlocks were very nice with better wood than typical Spanish guns of the era.

On the other hand, I've seen some real turds over the years. The DIARM era when most of the Spanish guntrade was socialized into a commie, government run enterprise in the 1980s was the real low spot for all the gun makers of Spain, whether they were part of DIARM or stayed independent.

The worst thing you can do is buy a vintage Spanish gun with a single trigger. They are notoriously unreliable.

In conclusion, you have to judge each gun on its own, do not rely on it being a 53, 56, No1, or No2 because those terms are almost meaningless.

 

[Matabele]

Thanks very much for your reply, thats some great information! Can I ask if there is preffered era to be looking for, the 80's sound like a bad decade, but would you say the 90's up to current production generally speaking would be worth considering?

 

[rookhawk]

Thanks very much for your reply, thats some great information! Can I ask if there is preffered era to be looking for, the 80's sound like a bad decade, but would you say the 90's up to current production generally speaking would be worth considering?

90s and up were very good years in the Spanish trade.

 

[mdwest]

I’ve been doing a lot of research and reading on AyA since I recently picked up a No 3…

@rookhawk is spot on… they are all over the place…and can be very inconsistent even with the same models built during similar time frames…

As an example.. most #3’s were built with a straight “English” profile stock… but… they also built a lot of #3’s with pistol grip stocks…

Most #3’s do not have side clips… but… some were built with side clips…

Some #3’s have very ornate engraving that was done at the factory… most have very minimal engraving…

Etc etc…

 

[Matabele]

Thanks for the replies everyone, you've given me some things to think about...I'll be needing to inspect every one I'm interested in by the sounds of it!

 

[Altitude sickness]

Someone that buys collects and USES his vintage shotguns told me. That if a decades old gun has been used and not abused then it’s obviously not a lemon.

Beware of old safe queens. It may be something didn’t work well, the balance is off. For some reason, the gun wasn’t used. It needs a thorough going through and needs to be vetted and used to tell if it’s a lemon or not.

If the gun has been used, inferior steel and manufacturing would have shown up or been repaired.

I’ve also read a good quote in a book or magazine. That many buyers and shooters are not the best caretakers. using a lightweight upland 5-6 pound gun for pigeon shooting contests and then blaming the gun for not holding up isn’t fair.

As has been said. It’s best to buy the individual gun. Even “Best” makers have models when they were experimenting with new technology of the day and those examples are out there with failed gadgets that were omitted the next year of production. We don’t say that the “best” brand is bad. Just that particular model using inferior design or materials.

 

[Matabele]

Someone that buys collects and USES his vintage shotguns told me. That if a decades old gun has been used and not abused then it’s obviously not a lemon.

Beware of old safe queens. It may be something didn’t work well, the balance is off. For some reason, the gun wasn’t used. It needs a thorough going through and needs to be vetted and used to tell if it’s a lemon or not.

If the gun has been used, inferior steel and manufacturing would have shown up or been repaired.

I’ve also read a good quote in a book or magazine. That many buyers and shooters are not the best caretakers. using a lightweight upland 5-6 pound gun for pigeon shooting contests and then blaming the gun for not holding up isn’t fair.

As has been said. It’s best to buy the individual gun. Even “Best” makers have models when they were experimenting with new technology of the day and those examples are out there with failed gadgets that were omitted the next year of production. We don’t say that the “best” brand is bad. Just that particular model using inferior design or materials.

That's some sound advice!