Hi, I have a Armas Ego 12 guage side by side that was made in Eibar Spain that i know nothing about. It has beautiful scrolling all over the metal and the wood is in very nice condition. Both the metal and the stock have been refinished due to weather and use. Just curious if someone can help me value this nice shotgun and give me some history on it.
Armas Ego 12 Guauge, Value & History
- Thread starter boucherville
- Start date
Armas Ego (Florentino Arizaga) was in business from the early 1950's until just a few years ago. Like many of the Basque makers the company turned out a wide range of products, ranging from inexpensive boxlock shotguns to some rather nice double rifles. Armas Ego is generally thought of as a quality manufacturer, but not in the same league as Grulla, Garbi or Arrizabalaga. Because of the diversity of the products offered, each gun must be evaluated on its own merit. There is no inherent value in the name.
The question is, what have you got - a boxlock or a sidelock? The difference is explained here: http://www.hallowellco.com/boxlock.htm
The question of value cannot be approached without knowing whether it is a sidelock or not. The age, however, should be easy to determine. The Spanish system of proof marks includes a date code. These codes can be seen in the table at the bottom of this page: http://www.star-firearms.com/firearms/proof.shtml
Removing the barrels and examining the proof marks will tell you a lot about the gun - not just its age, but what loads it was meant to shoot, chamber length and even the barrel weight. Spanish proof marks are easy to research on the net.
Knowing the name of the model (if there was one) is not always helpful, but the model name was often engraved on the trigger tang. It is useful to know that the Basques look to fine English guns as their role model, primarily the sidelocks. Looking at the specific features of your gun and its engraving (if it is a sidelock), and comparing it to various models from Purdey or Holland & Holland will give you an idea of what the maker was trying to accomplish. If your gun is a boxlock, then its features will be less distinguishing - generic Anson & Deeley.
The presence of a pistol grip or beavertail fore end indicate a gun made for export to the American market. For internal consumption or the European market the classic English straight grip and splinter fore end was (and is) the norm.
A nice Basque gun is always a good find. Please let us know what you have, or better yet post a picture or two.
Sharptail
The question is, what have you got - a boxlock or a sidelock? The difference is explained here: http://www.hallowellco.com/boxlock.htm
The question of value cannot be approached without knowing whether it is a sidelock or not. The age, however, should be easy to determine. The Spanish system of proof marks includes a date code. These codes can be seen in the table at the bottom of this page: http://www.star-firearms.com/firearms/proof.shtml
Removing the barrels and examining the proof marks will tell you a lot about the gun - not just its age, but what loads it was meant to shoot, chamber length and even the barrel weight. Spanish proof marks are easy to research on the net.
Knowing the name of the model (if there was one) is not always helpful, but the model name was often engraved on the trigger tang. It is useful to know that the Basques look to fine English guns as their role model, primarily the sidelocks. Looking at the specific features of your gun and its engraving (if it is a sidelock), and comparing it to various models from Purdey or Holland & Holland will give you an idea of what the maker was trying to accomplish. If your gun is a boxlock, then its features will be less distinguishing - generic Anson & Deeley.
The presence of a pistol grip or beavertail fore end indicate a gun made for export to the American market. For internal consumption or the European market the classic English straight grip and splinter fore end was (and is) the norm.
A nice Basque gun is always a good find. Please let us know what you have, or better yet post a picture or two.
Sharptail
Thanks a lot for the info, I did determine that the gun that i have is a box lock but i am unsure of the rest. With the barrel removed i have looked at the markings on the gun and compared them to the website that you have provided me with. My markings show admission into the proof house and then the next marking that shows proof of passing is a '2' with a line under it and then a (BP) with a zero under the letters representing the year. Also on the other side of the action is a number 52941 and also stamped in the metal is J-C and also inside of a diamond shaped stamp is the number <1276>.
So to make a long story short i am unsure of the year for starters and i guess the rest is also a mystery to me, also there is no model stamped anywhere on or near the trigger tang.
Thanks, Chris
So to make a long story short i am unsure of the year for starters and i guess the rest is also a mystery to me, also there is no model stamped anywhere on or near the trigger tang.
Thanks, Chris
Boucherville, to begin with, the 12 76 in the diamond indicates a 12 gauge with 3 inch (76mm) chambers. The crest with the BP over a flattened O is the "voluntary" higher pressure proof that usually accompanies the 3 inch chamber. If I remember correctly, J-C is the barrel maker. You have correctly identified the acceptance and proof marks, and I think that 52941 is the serial number of the gun. Somewhere on the gun should be a stamp with just a letter and a number, eg. S1 or A2. That will be the date code. On the underside of the barrels there should be a number in the 1,200 to 1,900 range that indicates the barrel weight in grams.
So, what you have is a magnum chambered Anson & Deeley style boxlock. Given the extensive scroll engraving you could call it the Modelo Boxlock Deluxe and you would probably be close to the truth. Keep looking for the date code.
You have not mentioned whether or not it has a pistol grip and beavertail fore end, whether it has ejectors or extractors, what the chokes are, what the length of pull is or how long the barrels are. All of these items will affect value. Other features which can add value are a third fastener (Greener crossbolt or rib extension), gas relief channels or valves, bushed firing pins, articulated front trigger, cocking indicators and automatic safety.
One thing that detracts from the value of the gun is the inadvisability of shooting steel shot through it. A re-finish, unless performed to professional standards will also lower from the value. The current condition of the gun, compared to when it was new, is always the single largest influence on value.
Without knowing the configuration, features and exact condition of the gun it is impossible to determine the value. It is possible to say that Spanish boxlocks can range in price from $250 to $1,800 for a new Ugartechea. I hope this helps.
Sharptail
So, what you have is a magnum chambered Anson & Deeley style boxlock. Given the extensive scroll engraving you could call it the Modelo Boxlock Deluxe and you would probably be close to the truth. Keep looking for the date code.
You have not mentioned whether or not it has a pistol grip and beavertail fore end, whether it has ejectors or extractors, what the chokes are, what the length of pull is or how long the barrels are. All of these items will affect value. Other features which can add value are a third fastener (Greener crossbolt or rib extension), gas relief channels or valves, bushed firing pins, articulated front trigger, cocking indicators and automatic safety.
One thing that detracts from the value of the gun is the inadvisability of shooting steel shot through it. A re-finish, unless performed to professional standards will also lower from the value. The current condition of the gun, compared to when it was new, is always the single largest influence on value.
Without knowing the configuration, features and exact condition of the gun it is impossible to determine the value. It is possible to say that Spanish boxlocks can range in price from $250 to $1,800 for a new Ugartechea. I hope this helps.
Sharptail
