Victor Sarasqueta Double Rifles

[MikeW]

Came across a 1972 vintage Victor Sarasqueta double rifle in 375 H&H. It is a sidelock double and cosmetically it looks pretty good. I'm vaguely familiar with the name and their double shotguns, but know very little about their double rifles. They were located in Spain and had a decent reputation on their shotguns, but definitely a budget/entry level manufacturer.

The rifle is listed as their Grade 211 with case colored sidelock action having full coverage rose & scroll engraving. One negative is the under rib is loose at the muzzle for a distance of 2 1/2".

While I'm working on a purchase of a Chapuis Brousse in 450/400 NE, the Sarasqueta caught my eye.

Any reason to avoid this double rifle, assuming the condition is at it appears? This is listed on an auction site, so pictures is what I'm relying on.

 

[sierraone]

Hi Mike
I have a Sarasqueta 20 ga. sxs sidelock that is gorgeous. I bought it for about $900 5-6 years ago. The only problem it had was that the right barrel ejector failed to work each time. Some serious cleaning of that chamber on the advice of J.J. Perideau has fixed the problem. The empty hull on that barrel became stuck many times and had to be removed with your fingers. You on the other hand are talking a double rifle where the regulation can be negatively affected by broken loose solder. I don't know if that is easily repaired or how much it may cost to have a gunsmith repair it. In other words will it be worth it to you....and it may have to be re-regulated at around $1000 or so. Contact @Red Leg and get his opinion. He is one of our members with vast knowledge of doubles. Good luck and let us know how it goes!

 

[MikeW]

Appreciate the advice. I like Spanish doubles and always had a soft spot for Ugartechea 28 gauge and 410 bore shotguns.

Wasn't sure how significant the loose under (lower) rib would be. I was thinking the barrels were already joined by being chopper lump, dovetail or through lump barrels and the rib was just filling in the space, but my knowledge of doubles is pretty limited. If I did purchase the rifle, I was expecting a trip to JJ's would be in order for any repairs and get it re-regulated. I'll reach out to Red Leg.

 

[sierraone]

Mike, you may be absolutely right, but I just don't know. It's above my knowledge base. I just know if those barrels are not properly bound together, you have a big problem. Looking forward to what RedLeg advises!!!

 

[Witold Krzyżanowski]

Cool rifle.

 

[Red Leg]

Spanish double rifles - particularly from the era of the one you found are a crap shoot. They can be seemingly perfect in every way, and then one discovers in a year or so flaws that should never have left the builder's bench. Correct spring hardening seems to be a chronic issue, or as in your case, the rib is loose after very little apparent use. I would say that the odds are 90% that it has other barrel soldering issues as well and will require complete re-regulation. A thousand dollars is the starting point for such work. Part of my SxS education was owning one of these for a short time of about the same vintage. Simply lovely gun cosmetically. Over six-months, I discovered the ejector tabs (also a .375) worked "most" of the time; the stock head developed a lateral crack (or it reappeared); a hammer spring broke; and I learned to listen carefully for the clear ring of a properly soldered set of barrels. With this one already showing issues, I personally would run.

Another option, if the seller will let you, is to have him ship it to JJ for evaluation. JJ will do that (for a very reasonable fee) and tell you very frankly what issues, if any, exist and the investment needed to make it right. If the seller is unwilling, that should speak volumes as well.

 

[CAustin]

If you can already see the under rib loose I would say do not buy it.

 

[MikeW]

Appreciate the advice. Sounds like it would make for a great wall hangar but buyer beware. This one is being offered by Poulin Auctions this weekend with an estimate of $2500 - $4500. Current bid is $1250.

https://poulinantiques.hibid.com/lot/49385547/victor-sarasqueta-sidelock-double-rifle-?q=1386

I see a similar rifle auction by Rock Island in Dec 2016 with an estimate of $5000-$7500 but not info listed on the realized price. Not sure if Poulin's estimate is reasonable given the condition. I can see where this rifle could quickly become a money pit.

I'll stick with the Chapuis Brousse.

 

[MikeW]

This one hammered at $4K with a 20.5% buyers premium. Wish the new owner the best of luck.

 

[spike.t]

Think you were very sensible avoiding that one

 

[MikeW]

Thanks. Have to admit I was sorely tempted. If I could have gotten it for around $2K, the additional investment to get the under rib fixed and regulated would have been okay.

Price was already at $3500 by the time the auction started, so I quickly became a spectator.

 

[mdwest]

Agree... at $2k it might have been worth the risk and even another couple of grand to get it working order if necessary...

At $4k plus a potential additional grand invested to get it right... there are better options in my opinion