Everything You Want to Know about Fausti, but Were Afraid to Ask
By Randy Wakeman
- Since 1940, Arrieta has been synonymous with the finest handmade shotguns and side by side rifles. The talent of the company’s founder Avelino Arrieta has made it possible for the small-scale activity to become a highly competitive family owned company delivering the finest firearms worldwide.
- The Blue Book of Used Gun Values offers serial numbers for the following makers: AYA, Boss & Co., Ltd, Browning, EJ Churchill, Colt, Colt Black Powder 2nd Gen, John Dickson & Son, AH Fox, German early Date Codes, German Modern Date Codes, Stephen Grant, WW Greener, Harrington & Richardson, High Standard, Holland & Holland, Italian Year of Mfg.
Aya Shotgun Serial Numbers
A mint condition AYA Number 1 Round Body, 28' Barrels, choked quarter and half, Right hand 15' Exhibition grade stock, 100% case hardening, Articulated Front Trigger, Cocking indicators, and auto Safety, Massive saving on new price. £995 US$1,332/€1,097. AYA 12 gauge #4 Boxlock de Luxe (Best quality boxlock ) Side by Side Shotgun (R/H) - S/H.
The lovely Giovanna Fausti is the hard-workinginternational export manager of the Italian family firm of Fausti. Actually, Ihave a lot in common with Giovanna. She speaks something like eighty-sevenlanguages; I struggle with one, but aspire to become more fluent in Americanslang, at least. Giovanna and sisters Barbara and Elena inherited the Companyfrom their father Stephano and are actively involved with Fausti operations. TheFausti family commitment to first quality steel, walnut and modernmanufacturing techniques allows them to offer unique, properly scaled, smallerbore doubles.
The Fausti name is one most shotgun aficionados are aware of, but do not seem to knowmuch about, at least in the United States. There is a good reason for this.When a company, such as Fausti, produces private label product for importers,their role is as an OEM. Whether you quote shock absorbers for automobiles,speakers for home theaters, engines for garden tractors, or riflescopes, thesystem of procurement is similar. The importer or marketer asks for bids on thejob, with the purchaser setting the price points, specifications and so forth.The actual manufacturer has little input regarding the product specifications. Theimporter or distributor sets the standards and the vendor most build to thoseparameters and do so economically.
What Fausti USA has done is take direct control of their brand for the first time inthe United States. It means that Fausti USA shotguns have the features andstandards of build quality that they choose. Why buy a Fausti? What does FaustiUSA have that is unique, appealing and not available elsewhere? The Fausti USAshotgun line consists of two basic categories, SxS and O/U models.
There are scant few side-by-side shotguns available today that are high quality,affordable and have scaled frames in the smaller bores. Fausti USA adheres tothe British style of game gun. They use no cast parts, but incorporate modernmanufacturing methods. Like most Italian guns in their price range, Fausti barrelsare built on monoblocks. The Fausti side-by-side actions are a modified Anson& Deeley boxlock type.
The Anson and Deeley boxlock action's heritage dates back to 1875, when it was developedfrom the earlier Westly-Richards action by two Westly-Richards gun designers, WilliamAnson and John Deeley. No coincidence there. The seminal A & D action quicklygained a reputation for simplicity and rugged durability. There are only threebasic parts to the A & D action: the hammer, sear and cocking dog.
Fausti USA side-by-sides feature hard chrome-lined barrels, interchangeable forearmsand stocks, and properly sized and scaled receivers. The latter is importantfor an English style game gun, noticeably improving the gun's balance andhandling. Interchangeable parts are now possible due to CNC machining, whichwas not available in the late 1800's. Fausti USA doubles also have lengthenedforcing cones and incorporate modern metallurgy. Chrome-moly steel, forexample, did not exist in yesteryear. Automatic ejectors, rather than justextractors, are standard. Box locks are stronger than sidelocks where thebuttstock joins the back of the receiver, as less wood needs to be removed fromthe neck of the stock.
The Fausti USA O/U shotguns are built on the well-known Italian style action, low profileand pleasing to the eye. You can expect silver brazed ribs, as opposed tosoft-soldered, a receiver made from a solid billet of steel. The focus is ondurability, responsiveness and good looks.
The Faust “Class” twenty gauge I am working with right now weighs 6-pounds 6-ounces, withconsistent clean-breaking triggers that release at 4-pounds 4-ounces and 4-pounds10-ounces respectively. This is night and day from the generic, cheap genre of crudelyfinished vertical doubles lacking the smooth action, surface finish, woodquality and precise wood to metal fit that makes an O/U shotgun worthwhile.
Aya Shotgun Serial Numbers Explained
A properly scaled 16 gauge frame is hard to find, but Fausti USA offers it. “FaustiBoutique” is the Fausti program that allows you to order a true custom gun,built to your specifications. This opportunity is simply not available frommany major manufacturers. The Fausti USA line currently ranges from well-executed,well-balanced production shotguns to custom-crafted heirloom grade with engravingthat is a work of art.
As far as I am concerned, the purpose of a shotgun is a simple one: to enjoy it. Theenjoyment of owning a shotgun is hardly limited to just making noise or killingthings. One of the most comical, inane quotes about shotguns is that they meanthree things: “Boom, boom, boom.” Though goofy statements like that may holdsome appeal to the mindless Neanderthal, it is offensive to the sensibilitiesof those with a bit more appreciation for shotguns.
Used Aya Shotguns For Sale
You enjoy a shotgun because of the way it looks, the way it shoulders, the way it swings,the way it carries, the way it compliments you and your intended purpose.Though I confess to generally liking all firearms, those that have a higherstandard of build quality, attention to detail, balance, dashing good looks andpointability are those that enhance the hunting and shooting experience most.Fausti USA is now offering that level of shotgun, the level of shotgun that isthe only one that inspires pride of ownership and has timeless appeal andvalue. Expect full-fledged reviews of Fausti USA product in the near future,when the remnants of this winter's blizzards have subsided a bit and themorning temperatures rise a bit above the recent -14 degrees F.