In that respect, a slow-down in the economy could be good news for the Spanish gun market, as there is not the same outlay for a top-quality new Spanish gun compared with a best English.” “As a result, shots are looking to pay less for a gun that is almost as good. So why pay £60,000 for a gun that might either be obsolete in a few years’ time or, heaven forbid, you are no longer allowed to shoot?” It is no longer a case of buying a gun that your grandson will use. Also, gun design is changing all the time, with smaller bores and over-unders becoming more popular. “The Prime Minister was a regular shot back then. The only downside is that there is a 15-month wait until the gun is ready for you.” Paul believes the expectation when buying a gun has changed down the years, which plays into the hands of the Spanish market: “When I was growing up in the 1950s, there was no question of shooting being under fire.” “Of course, it is not exactly the same high quality as a handmade British gun, but it runs awfully close. “The benefit of an Arrizabalaga is that you are getting a unique gun that is a close facsimile of a Best English gun, but for a fifth of the price,” said Paul. Over the years, Paul has built up a ‘Spanglish’ partnership that allows him to converse with the manufacturers in gun-language, so that they meet his demands for the English market, even down to the Imperial measurements.
Renowned as leading gunsmiths, the Arrizabalaga team of just eight craftsmen produces no more than 40 guns a year, with a pair of fully bespoke shotguns in the English style costing £19,000 plus VAT. Paul Roberts has been sole dealer in the UK for the coveted Pedro Arrizabalaga line of self-opening side-by-sides for the past 30 years.
The custom-built No.1 is made for you and it will shoot all the modern ammunition, with a full warranty.”Įdward is optimistic the forewarned slow-down in the economy will have minimal effect on gun sales: “We have never found the state of the general economy reflects that of the gun industry – those who have plenty of money tend to have it whatever the financial climate.”
But, said Edward, “Unless you have a stroke of good fortune, you are unlikely to find a good second-hand gun that suits your needs and fits perfectly, which is hugely important. We sell about 55% as 12-bore, against 45% of everything else.”Īside from the other Spanish gunsmiths, AYA’s closest rivals are the second-hand top-end English and Italian guns. Integrity is very important in the British gun market and AYA has made that part of its philosophy.”ĪYA’s No.1 Deluxe, competitively priced against its best English equivalentsĮdward has noticed a return to 12-bores in his recent sales ledgers: “The 12-bore side-by-side is back with a vengeance – there was a brief flirtation with 20s and 28s, but people are now remembering the 12-bore is not a bad gun after all. The British shooter demands a gun that will outlive him, as opposed to a car or washing machine that he accepts will eventually break down. AYA and the other Spanish makers realised the only way to compete in the British market was to use the very finest materials. “As far as sales are going at the moment, we are chasing supply rather than demand, which is a good situation to be in. “I would be wrong to say the No.1 is the finest gun on the market, but it is very close to the best and it is exceptional value for money,” said Edward King of ASI, sole importers of the AYA in the UK. These include the popular boxlock No.4/53 model at £2,383 the sidelock No.2 at £3,910 the exquisite No.1 at £8,159 and the top-of-the-range No.1 Deluxe from £14,950 (all including VAT). Spain’s largest gunmaker, Aguirre y Aranzabal (AYA), produces 750 guns a year in the town of Eibar for the international market. In this feature, looking at the current fortunes of international gunmakers, Shooting Times talked to a handful of the British agents who are selling these ‘great pretenders’ to the domestic market.