You have an excellent "working man's" gun there.
Plain solid walnut is perfectly appropriate in an economical shotgun.
I have an AyA Model 106 in 16 gauge that l like a lot.
The condition of your gun is very attractive.
I'd be tempted to buy a box of Bismuth loads, and see if I could shoot a few ducks with that AyA.

 

That’s a beauty!

 

The finest rifle in my safe wears a Sears logo. JC Higgins Model 50 in 270. It's an FN Mauser action from the early 50's, the rifle was made by High Standard for Sears.
Worth seeking out, they also made them in 30.06. Mine was blessed with nice wood.

 

Love the gun! I think 12-70 isn't a date stamp on a Spanish gun. Rather 12 gauge with 70mm (2 3/4") chambers. Date code is something else on the barrel flat.

 

Agree, 12 Ga and 70 mm chambers is that stamp. A little digging on the web should help with Mfg. date. Sears had their own serial numbering system or at least they did back when my Sears guns were made, mine are 50's vintage. Deciphering the proof stamps may narrow down Mfg. date. You got a real gem there OP.

 

Thank you all for the kind comments. I've always liked AyAs but this is the first one I've owned. Yeah the 12-70 thing was a rookie fubar for sure LOL. I've owned several Italian guns so I should have known better, I'll find the date code and correct that when I get a chance.

 

I picked up on an old Sears-imported AyA Model 433 12 gauge side by side, marketed elsewhere in the world as the AyA 106. Metal finish is very nice but Sears was never known for splurging on wood. I believe Sears sold the AyA 433 from about 1970-1985. Mostly it'll see bulk bird loads, though I do carry 2-3 high brass 000 buck loads in the shirt pocket of my hunting vest. This is mostly for coyotes, the odd surly bear or godless communist paratroopers. I don't think you are required to use steel shot for any of those yet.

This old shotgun is tight, as in 'brand new' tight. The breechface & firing pin bushings are perfect; it could not have fired a full box of shells in its life. Date stamp is 12-70. Using Federal bulk # 7 ½ field loads, it will slap a 12" section of 2x6 down hard at 40 paces with either barrel. The right is Modified, the left is a tight Full, it throws good patterns and regulation appears perfect. I was real happy to find one in this condition.

After you get the stock "broken in" with some hunting scratches, look closely and you may see some really nice wood under the finish.

From the pictures it looks to me like they put a bunch of stain in that finish. A common practice.

If so, it would be time to strip it and apply a finish that will enhance rather than hide the wood color & figure.

I may be wrong but who knows at this stage.

Beautiful case colors! Congratulations!

 

The barrels are stamped 'R1' indicating 1973 production. The first post has been corrected to reflect that.

 

Over the weekend the Missus and I went out back and busted a few clays over the hayfield. This old AyA will just disintegrate clays at 30-35 yards with the Mod barrel and 10-12 yards further with the 'extra' Full barrel. I say 'extra' because the Full step on my choke gauge will only go halfway in that barrel.

My old Do-All White Wing thrower is cranked up to 'low orbit' and if you blink, the bird is 50 yards out. With this particular gun I have to push the bead right over the bird and shoot when it disappears; but once I figured that out, nothing in the air was safe. I am no great wing-shooter but this AyA is making me look almost good

 

SargeMO,
Nice AYA Box lock, have fun with your gun. The AYA guns are decently made, the Box lock guns of that era are medium quality guns, taken care of they seldom give you any problems. Good Pheasant gun for sure.

all the best,

Pine Creek/Dave
L.C. Smith man