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FeedCabela's AyA 4/53 Classic
Bruce Buck
The Basque gunmaking firm of Aguirre y Aranzabal was founded in 1917 by Miguel Aguirre and Nicolas Aranzabal. Ninety years later it has survived two world wars, a civil war, political unrest and an abortive gunmaker collectivization. It has gone from a small producer to a large manufacturer and back to a small producer, with about 20 workers. Over time AyA has built about 600,000 guns, but now annual production is around 700. Today's emphasis is on handcraftsmanship. Almost all production is side-by-sides with substantial English influence. AyA's most popular guns are the Holland & Holland-pattern sidelocks Numbers 1 and 2 and the boxlock No. 4 series.
The No. 4 boxlock side-by-side has been in the AyA lineup since 1960. The 4/53 is an upgrade of the No. 4 and is built to a higher standard. Our test gun, a 20-gauge 4/53 Classic built for Cabela's Gun Library, was a heavily engraved 4/53. Cabela's sells the standard case-colored unengraved 4/53 for less than $3,000. The 4/53 Classic is $3,499. The extra $500 includes 100-percent-coverage engraving, 29" barrels instead of the standard 28" barrels and a better wood finish.
The No. 4 boxlock side-by-side has been in the AyA lineup since 1960. The 4/53 is an upgrade of the No. 4 and is built to a higher standard. Our test gun, a 20-gauge 4/53 Classic built for Cabela's Gun Library, was a heavily engraved 4/53. Cabela's sells the standard case-colored unengraved 4/53 for less than $3,000. The 4/53 Classic is $3,499. The extra $500 includes 100-percent-coverage engraving, 29" barrels instead of the standard 28" barrels and a better wood finish.
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