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Make: Armas Garbi, Spanish Best Side by Side, Holland & Holland Type, Bar Action Sidelock Ejector - Imported by William Larkin Moore
Model 103-B
Serial Number: 14361
Year of Manufacture: 1986 (F2 Date Code)
Gauge: 12 Ga, 2 3/4" Shells
Action Type: Side by Side, True Sidelocks, Double Selective Triggers with Ejectors.
Models 103-A / 103-B: both the 103-A and 103-B are a traditional game guns with Purdey style 'Rose & Scroll' engraving that is completely done by hand. The action also has the traditional shaping improvements of a higher quality gun with beaded fences and sculpturing. These models have upgraded wood qualities and higher grade finishing.
The Model 103-B is identical in appearance to the model 103-A but also features a Holland & Holland type 'easy-opening' self-opening mechanism, chopper lump barrels. Southgate-type ejectors, hand detachable locks, articulated front trigger and removable disc-set strikers.
Markings: The barrel rib is marked “W.L. MOORE WESTLAKE, CA. ARMAS "GARBI" EIBAR SPAIN 103(B)”. The underside of the left barrel is marked with three stars, the underside of the right barrel is marked with four stars, each has "CROMONIQUEL". The underside flats are marked “12-70” in oval, with Spanish proofs and the left flat is marked "G.A. 14361". The inside of the forend is marked “14361”. The underside of the frame is marked “ARMAS GARBI / EIBAR”. The water table is marked “12-70” in oval on each side, the left has Garbi’s logo and “G.A 14361”, the right has Spanish proof marks. The guard is marked 14361. The receiver has extensive rose and scroll engraving with the motif carried on to the lever, guard and exposed portions of the forend iron.
Barrel Length: Approximately 27” (685mm)
Choke: Left barrel: Modified, Right barrel: Improved Cylinder, both fixed.
Sights: This shotgun is mounted with a steel bead, screwed into the smooth concave solid rib.
Weight: 6 lb., 11.1 oz.
Type of Finish: Blued & Case Color
Finish Originality: Original
Bore Condition: The bores are bright. There is no erosion in the bores.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The stocks are two-piece checkered select walnut with splinter forend, straight grip, straight comb and orange rubber Pachmayr Old English buttpad. The stocks have minor handling wear with only a few scattered light nicks. The checkering is sharp. There are no chips or cracks. The LOP measures 14 5/8" and 13 3/4" from the fronts of the triggers to the back of the buttpad, 13 7/8" and 13" to the back of the wood. The pad has minor wear and is still fairly supple. Drop at comb is approximately 1 1/2", drop at heel 2".
Overall, the stock is in excellent condition.
Overall Condition: This shotgun retains about 98% of its metal finish. The receiver's case color has some scattered minor muting which blends well with the figuring of the color. The guard has minor handling wear. The action shows minor operational wear. Otherwise, there are only light handling marks. The screw heads range from sharp to lightly tool marked with strong slots. The markings are clear. Overall, this shotgun rates in Fine-Excellent condition.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. The shotgun has double non-selectable triggers, an auto-safety and ejectors. The barrels lock up with no play to the frame. This shotgun has been test fired and is in perfect working condition.
Overall Assessment: This is a spectacular Spanish made, W.L. Moore imported Armas Garbi Model No. 103-B with beautiful rose and scroll engraving, brilliantly colored case coloring and a quick sighting, well balanced design. The gun doesn't appear to have seen much use, in Fine-Excellent condition, likely having seen more handling to inspect the gun's appearance than actual firing. With its 27" 12 gauge barrels choked Modified and Improved Cylinder, this ought to make for a good gun for upland bird or a classy piece to take out to your local Sporting Clays range. In any case, it is a very attractive gun that will add well to any collection. Please see pictures and contact me for any questions.
From William Larkin Moore:
| Armas Garbi guns are manufactured in Eibar, in the Basque gun making region in the north of Spain. Garbi is a Basque word, which means, “clean” and is an acronym formed from the initials of the names of the firm’s founders. “G” is for Guerrena Barrena, in charge of scale adjustments. “A” is for Alday, head of the engravers. “R” is for R. Churruca, who is in charge of assembly and final finish. “B” is for Barrenechea, the general manager of the company. “I” is for Irondo, an expert in adjustments and finishing of stocks. William Larkin Moore & Co. has been importing the fine line of Garbi shotguns since 1975 and we have had excellent success with them.
Garbi guilds a traditional English style gun based on the Holland & Holland type sidelock action. These guns feature chopper lump barrels, automatic ejectors, hand detachable locks and articulated front triggers. On custom orders, barrel lengths up to 30 inches are available and the stock dimensions can be built to customer specifications. Extra sets of the same gauge barrels, three types of top rib, single trigger, pistol grip stock and beavertail forearm are also available. On the Model 103, two special varieties of high quality English engraving are available. Extra fancy Turkish or English walnut is available as an option on all models. |
| Drop forged steel action frame, with gas escape valves |
| Chopper lump barrels made of best quality steel |
| Five-pin sidelock mechanism with double safety sears |
| Automatic selective ejectors |
| Double triggers with articulated front blade |
| Selected walnut stock, adjusted and chequered by hand with oil finish |
| Purdey style “Rose & Scroll” engraving completely by hand, case hardened or coin finish |
Jean Breuil
Lewis Richards Kettering
G. Defourny
Webley & Scott
