Fat dumb and happy

[salmonchaser]

So there I was minding my own business when I chanced upon a 50 year old Arrieta shotgun showing almost no wear. No dings, no handling marks, the blueing on the barrel was equally faded from muzzle to breach. A 7 pin side lock built when Arrieta dutifully copied Holland and Holland side locks, down to the side clips on the receiver. Just the slightest indication on the face that it had indeed been fired at least a few times. Unfortunately, says the man, it was built for a southpaw; it has cast on to the stock, almost a 1/4 inch. Also, the guy must have been a wrestler with no neck as there is very little drop at the comb. On average most guns of that era would have almost a 1/4 inch more drop. Catherines eye roll was obvious from the other side of the store, however, it fits perfectly.
No way he knew I was a wrestler says I. Oh really, Mr. Cauliflower ear.

 

[Firebird24]

That is a no-brainer purchase! Congratulations on that find and best of luck in the field and marsh moving forward!

 

[Joec7651]

I’m at a loss for words on your find. Exquisite, plain and simple. Congratulations.

 

[Blkram]

Amazing what one finds when one isn't looking!

 

[wvbuckbuster]

Sometimes we just step into deal without looking. Yours was meant to be.

 

[NYDAN]

Sweet deal. Congratulations on the find.

 

[hunter24605]

Nice! congratulations on a cool find

 

[Guy Miner]

So there I was minding my own business when I chanced upon a 50 year old Arrieta shotgun showing almost no wear. No dings, no handling marks, the blueing on the barrel was equally faded from muzzle to breach. A 7 pin side lock built when Arrieta dutifully copied Holland and Holland side locks, down to the side clips on the receiver. Just the slightest indication on the face that it had indeed been fired at least a few times. Unfortunately, says the man, it was built for a southpaw; it has cast on to the stock, almost a 1/4 inch. Also, the guy must have been a wrestler with no neck as there is very little drop at the comb. On average most guns of that era would have almost a 1/4 inch more drop. Catherines eye roll was obvious from the other side of the store, however, it fits perfectly.
No way he knew I was a wrestler says I. Oh really, Mr. Cauliflower ear.

"Fat, dumb and happy." I thought you were talking about me! What a great find. Thanks for sharing photos of that fine old gun. Hunting with it this fall?

Guy

 

[salmonchaser]

"Fat, dumb and happy." I thought you were talking about me! What a great find. Thanks for sharing photos of that fine old gun. Hunting with it this fall?

Guy

Absolutely. I’ll hit chukar and pheasants between deer and elk season. Cat and I will probably head to Arizona around Thanksgiving so I’ll start learning where the quail are. Hunt quail near Tucson until the end of February.
I might send the gun to Briley for a set of chokes. It’s bored modified and full, but will hunt it first see how she does.

 

[Wenaha]

Arrieta made fine shotguns. They used to be 'cheap' but check prices on these guns lately... way higher on the recent used market.

I live in Sonoita - heart of Arizona quail country. I would not put Briley (or any) choke tubes in it... I'd have the fixed chokes recut to skeet and light modified and go hunting. These chokes will handle about evry upland situation in North America and every quail hunting situation in AZ.

Nice catch!

 

[salmonchaser]

We really like Sonoita to Patagonia over to Tubuc. I wanted to buy in Sonoita or Patagonia but Cat won out on Tucson. I’ll reach out when we get south for the winter.

 

[longrangehunter]

We really like Sonoita to Patagonia over to Tubuc. I wanted to buy in Sonoita or Patagonia but Cat won out on Tucson. I’ll reach out when we get south for the winter.

Are you leaving Oregon completely, or just during the winter months?

 

[salmonchaser]

Are you leaving Oregon completely, or just during the winter months?

No, just for part of the winter, depends on which one of us you talk to how long we will be down there. Cat would stay longer but I start going crazy.