I recently took possession of all of my fathers long arms for the purpose of selling them to raise cash. He's had this shotgun since 1961 and out of the entire collection its likely the one gun that I'd like to keep, but I need to pay him a fair value for it.

 

I've search google till my fingers bled and can't really find a solid valuation for it, primarily because I don't know which model it was called at the time of production. I know it's a Zabala 12Ga SxS. The barrel reads "FCA De A.Zabala, Eibas, Espana."

 

It's a very pretty gun and out of them all is most sentimental to me. Anyone have an idea what it might be worth in a transaction father to son.

 

did you look on gunbroker to see if any are listed?

I did.

 

There weren't any listed when I checked a few days ago. Anything I've found is that they were considered lower grade, less expensive firearms. I've read values between four and five hundred dollars. I'm having trouble with that because of the engraving on the gun.

 

It would help if I could at least determine what model gun it is, and I think the only way to do that is to write to the Mfg.

Is it engraved or a stamped plate? Looks more like a plate from the pictures which would put it on par with some similar Zabala's online, $300-500?

I don't know how to tell the difference between engraved and stamped plate. < embarrased >

 

I have seen values around those numbers....3 to 5 hundy. Seems so low for such a pretty old gun.

Nice shotgun. Tough to price these, for there is little data out there about them. Try the Spanish Shotguns Forum on ShotgunWorld. The shotgun pictured is a true pinned sidelock, which will raise its value considerably. The sidelock configuration is similar is design to the Ugartechea 7 pin sidelock. It lacks the gas relief ports found on some SxS Zabala's, but that's not a detraction. I can't tell from the picture but are the firing pins bushed? (This means they are removable from the breech face. You can tell by an additional two or three holes around each firing pin hole. A special tool is inserted there and the face unscrews, allowing easy removal of the firing pin for replacement.) These sidelocks are very different and better made than some of the price point shotguns Zabala Hermanos puts out today and are head and shoulders above their boxlocks. My uneducated guess is this gun in this shape would sell for something farther north than five hundred dollars. (My guess would be $800-$1000 or maybe more, but I'm no expert.) The beauty of true sidelock guns is their instantaneous ease of maintenance.

Thanks Parker. I'll check to see if it's got the bushed firing pins tonight.

 

Knowing that it's a sidelock might help me.

 

I'm torn. If it's worth more than I think its worth I'll probably sell it for him. I'm hoping it is becuase he needs the money more than I need a side by side and while it's very sentimental, I'm not looking to spend $1,000 on it, you know. I'd feel worse giving him 4 or 5 hundred for it and as much as I'd hate to see it go I'd be happier to find a buyer at a thousand. One of those things.

I can't tell from the picture but are the firing pins bushed? (This means they are removable from the breech face. You can tell by an additional two or three holes around each firing pin hole.

The fireing pins are not bushed.

 

My gun guy tells me he'd list it for $699 if it found its way on his shelf.

 

My son and I shot it today, together with an old Mossberg 410 that was also handed over. I didn't hit anything with it yet my son did very well.

The last time I saw a Zabala it was back in 1972....a friend bought one....pretty lookin' gun.......he fired one slug through it and the Barrel Bulged terribly at the muzzle......steel was way to soft....sold it quick.

most of these guns are very servicable but dont get much respect.some spanish guns rival english best and some sould be rebar or tomatoe stakes.zabelas are affordable good quality guns falling between pride of spain and ugartechea

What were some of the other guns you were looking to sell?

A bunch of pistols (a Trooper MKIII 357, a S&W 17-4 22LR and a Star PD 45ACP <all circa 1981 and never fired> plus a S&W 38 5 screw circa 1950 something. There are some other pistols too.

 

A 35 cal lever gun and a 30-30 lever gun. These two are currently listed in the buy sell as is the Trooper MKIII. I still need to put price on the other pistols.

Well, pistols are a no-go for me, I'm only 20. I'll check the stuff out though.