Arrieta 578 16 Gauge – 99% NEW, ROUND BODY, 29”, NICE!

Arrieta is among the finest Spanish shotguns produced in the true Basque traditions.  Michael McIntosh praises the Arrieta in his book “Best Guns” and in fact carried his Arrieta afield as much as any other gun he owned.  The Basque makers were famous for making quality “copies” of other guns like the Holland and Holland sidelock this Arrieta mimics.  With a five pin sidelock action, intercepting safety sears, perfectly struck chopper lump barrels, auto safety, removable striker discs, articulated front trigger, stocked to the fences, beaded fences, cocking indicators, round body action and stock, beetle back safety, 90% coverage Purdey rose and scroll engraving (done by hand, of course), bone and charcoal case colored action… you have ALL OF THE BEST GUN FEATURES AT A FRACTION OF THE PRICE of a British built gun!  Arrieta closed its doors for a few years and is now back in operation having joined forces with Arrizabalaga, Spain’s preeminent gunmaker.  They are available new and special order here in the states at William Larkin Moore, one of the premier European gun sellers in the USA.  A new Arrieta set up like this Model 578 round body with this engraving would cost more than $40,000!  This Arrieta was built in 2005 and remains in 99% “as new” condition and is factory finishes throughout.  The desirably long 29” chopper lump barrels are perfectly struck and retain 99.5% of their dark blue, perfect mirror shiny bores, barrels tight as new on the hinge pin and breech face, ribs tight, no dents…just a perfect set of barrels choked IC/LM, the perfect upland chokes for most feathered quarry and versatile at the clay games.  The action retains 99.5% dark, vivid bone and charcoal case color, sharp, clean, hand-cut engraving, perfect screws, rounded edges for graceful looks and comfortable carry, triggers retain 99% factory blue, trigger guard the same.  The English style stock has perfect layout through the wrist, nicely marbled English walnut, perfect checkering with mullered borders, and retains most all if its factory hand-rubbed oil finish.  There are only a few tiny handling marks in the wood, none in the metal.  The butt is finished in a Purdey style, VFI installed leather covered pad that sets the gun off as an elegant, affordable, full featured sidelock gun.  See the specifications below.  THE GUN IS PRESENTLY SET UP WITH 1/8” CAST ON FOR A LEFTY BUT IS READILY BENDABLE TO NEUTRAL OR CAST OFF FOR A RIGHTY.  WE CAN DO THAT WITHIN A FEW DAYS OF PURCHASE FOR $250.  We bend hundreds of stocks a year and this kind of walnut with the English grip is a simple and reliable task.  We have priced this gun to be the best bargain on an upper level Arrieta on the internet, just in time for some summer clays to practice for the upcoming upland season.  Don’t hesitate or she’ll be gone!  Thanks for looking.