The running rabbit over the letter "S" within a diamond appears to be the maker's mark for Victor Sarasqueta. IIRC, "Hispania" was a model name used by Victor Sarasqueta at one time. I'm not familiar with the Beristain name. It may be a dealer rather than a maker. Perhaps another forum member can comment on this.

Remove the forearm and separate the barrels from the frame. Post some clear close-up photos of the markings on the barrel flats and the frame watertable. Amongst the proof marks will be a date code and perhaps additional information about the maker.

DF

Montani Semper Liberi

 

The running rabbit over the letter "S" within a diamond appears to be the maker's mark for Victor Sarasqueta. IIRC, "Hispania" was a model name used by Victor Sarasqueta at one time. I'm not familiar with the Beristain name. It may be a dealer rather than a maker. Perhaps another forum member can comment on this.

Remove the forearm and separate the barrels from the frame. Post some clear close-up photos of the markings on the barrel flats and the frame watertable. Amongst the proof marks will be a date code and perhaps additional information about the maker.

DF

Montani Semper Liberi

got 7 pictures of what you asked and other marks I found when I pulled it apart. Hope these are clear enough.

 

Thank you for the additional photos. The proof marks on the barrel flats indicate that the gun was submitted for proof at the Eibar Proof House during or prior to the 1930's. The mark NF under a crown indicates a proof pressure of 10, 667 psi. The PC under a star and above a crescent is the temporary black powder proof for barrels. "Acier Special" on the barrels simply translates as "Special Steel".

If possible, try to highlight the markings on the barrel flats with chalk or something and better lighting to bring out the details. These old eyes are straining to decipher the shallow proof marks. Can you show the photos also rotated 180 degrees so we can better see the upside down markings? I'm especially interested in the running rabbit mark.

DF

Montani Semper Liberi

 

some more pictures with chalk and some closeups without.

 

Your shotgun's maker was Victor Sarasqueta, and it was marketed in Spain by the retailer Beristain, SA. Based on the proof house marks it was produced at some point between 1910 and 1926. My best guess what it might bring if offered at auction, given its age and condition, would be a few hundred dollars.

The C.A.I. is Century Arms International, and is the importer of the shotgun into the US from Spain. Circa 2005 changes in Spanish Tax law prompted many Spanish shotgun owners to surrender their heirloom and unused shotguns to the Spanish civil guard. The civil guard auctioned these shotguns off, and C.A.I. bought hundreds of these guns and sold them, wholesale, for about $100 each during the period roughly 2008 - 2012. Spanish shotgun collectors called these guns "tax guns" or "salvage guns".

 

Value was for our own purposes only. We appreciate older guns and plan to display this one. We love how well made it is. I had figured out that it was likely Victor Sarasqueta and from the markings between 1910 and 1923 or so. I was guessing the 423 that is everywhere is a serial number. I did see a post somewhere of a 1925 with a 5 digit serial number leading me to believe it was an earlier year. It is nice to know a little bit more on the history of how it likely made it from spain to the US.