VALUE OF A.Y.A. HIGGINS SXS

[LUGNUTZ426]

NEIGHBOR HAS A SEARS/HIGGINS MODEL 100 SIDE BY SIDE. MADE BY A.Y.A.IN SPAIN. I BELIEVE IT IS A NO FRILLS VERSION OF A.Y.A. MATADOR.
CAN'T FIND ONE FOR SALE ANYWHERE ON THE NET TO FIGURE OUT WHAT IT IS WORTH. GUN IN VERY GOOD SHAPE. HARDLY USED..A FEW HANDLING MARKS AND RUBS ON THE RECEIVER. NOT LISTED IN THE VALUE GUIDES EITHER. THEY SAY HIGGINS SHOTGUNS HAVE NO COLLECTOR VALUE
AND ONLY VALUE AS A "SHOOTER". I HAVE TO BELIEVE THIS GUN HAS A HIGHER VALUE THAN MOST SEARS GUNS BECAUSE THEY ARE SCARSE AND MADE BY A QUALITY MANUFACTURER. ANYHELP OR COMMENTS ON THESE GUNS APPRECIATED

 

[TaxPhd]

Some of the Spanish makers, even ones with very good reputations, made some dogs for the american market.

An example is a SxS, single trigger, full pistol grip, and a beaver tail fore end. Add in 25" barrels and an obscenely high rib (because Churchill did it), and you have a complete bastardization of what a gun should be.

Nothing really wrong with a Matador, but don't go looking for high value. Buy the gun, not the name. If it works for you, and the price is right, buy.



Scott

 

[JohnBT]

I just did a little Googling and turned up a 1999 auction report of a 12 ga.AYA Higgins going for $425.

Then I found this 2005 post on Pheasant Country forum:

"Not long ago you could pick up some nice Spanish sxs like the American Arms Derby and Gentry for $600 to $800. Hard to do now. I got an AYA
#2 ROUND BODY 16ga for $3,300 4 years ago. It is now $4500. I saw a nice tight J.C. Higgins , (SEARS AND ROBUCK vintage) which is actually an old AYA Matador. Nice gun and I believe it was $800."

Last year's Blue Book says the Matador in 95% condition is a $375 gun.

John

 

[TaxPhd]

Lot's of good deals as well as heartaches in Spanish guns. Be careful if you don't know what you are looking for or how to evaluate quality.

I think $800 for a Matador (regardless of how it is labeled) is WAY too much. A little bit of shopping will get you a lot of gun for that money. Look at the Ugartechea guns that Lion Country Supply is dealing. Very good option for a new game gun.

 

[Gordon]

Offer the neighbor $200 for it, if real clean go as high as $300. I really prefer a GOOD AYA to a Savage/stevens 311.

 

[LUGNUTZ426]

THANKS FOR THE INFO.THIS GUN DOES NOT HAVE ANY SCROLL WORK ON THE RECEIVER OR BARREL LIKE THE AYA BRANDED GUN. IT IS HOWEVER IN
VERY GOOD CONDITION AND VERY "TIGHT". THE STOCK IS A REAL NICE PIECE OF WOOD. I WILL PROBABLY OFFER 200 TOPS.