Arrizabalaga sidelock

Bold yet attractive, this eye-catching and exquisitely crafted Spanish best 32in side-by-side pigeon gun performs flawlessly in the field, finds Michael Yardley

- Michael Yardley

THIS month's test focuses on a best 32in Arrizabalaga sidelock side-by-side pigeon gun. It is equipped with an inertia-operated, non-selective single trigger, a flat file-cut rib and chokes fixed at ½ and 3 (relatively open by pigeon gun standards). The gun has side-clips to the barrels, a capped full-pistol-grip stock and extended trigger-guard as well as exhibition-quality wood. It weighs in at a hefty but well-balanced 7lb 12oz, with the point of balance exactly on the hinge pin.

The sidelock is profusely, indeed rather wonderfully, engraved with Celtic scrollwork by Eibar craftsman Inaki Azku. This extends to the rear of the barrels and there are encircling gold-line inlays near the breech to make this exhibition piece look even more arresting. It creates an overall effect that is bold but attractive. Even if gold isn't your thing, it is tastefully done and the workmanship, as the decorative inlays follow the edge of the side-clips and breech face, is first class.

As would be expected, the 2¾in (70mm) chambered barrels of the test gun are chopper-lump (a term derived from how the barrels are constructed - from two forgings in which the unmachined barrel and breech-end lump are one piece of steel and look rather like a chopper). More commonly today one encounters monobloc barrels, where two barrel tubes are inserted into a short breech-end block, upon which the barrels will also hinge, which is then jointed to the action face. They are less expensive to make, though perfectly sound when done well. Our test gun is not proofed for steel shot because of its choking, but it would be an option on any new order (as would 3in chambers).