AYA NO. 4.  

The AYA No.4 is one of those classic guns that is within reach for most of us.
AYA have been imported into this country for the last 40 years or so by ASI of Suffolk. Most sportsmen, certainly game shooters will be familiar with the AYA range of guns.

They have made a few models of OU guns, but by far and away they are best known for their SS guns.
The range basically comprises of the No. 1 sidelock; their best model with fine rose and scroll engraving.
Then the No. 2; a more affordable sidelock with a bold English scroll engraving covering it.
Next was the No. 4, which was the boxlock ejector, then a step backwards with the No.3 being the boxlock non- ejector.

Lastly the most basic boxlock non-ejector, with no frills was the Yeoman. There were other models slid between these, but this was the basic range. And it was a range of guns that catered for everyone, however deep their pockets.

Above all other Spanish makers, AYA became the best known guns. Filling the huge gap left by the decline of the British gunmakers, they came onto the market that at the time was very much in favour of SS guns. As a result AYA have had a fairly unassailable hold on their corner of the market to this day. Though it is evident that over the last 15 years or so, that corner has been eroded considerably by the popularity in OU guns. But that is another story.

The first gun that I ever bought was an AYA Yeoman. I bought it secondhand and I don't ever remember it letting me down. It was secondhand when I bought it, and although I don't own it now, I know where it is, and to my knowledge it is still going strong. At that time I would have loved to own a No.4, but alas, it was beyond financial reach in those days.

Though for many the No.4 has been their trusted game or rough shooting gun. And overall they must be one of the most successful models ever sold in the UK.

They are very strong and reliable, and rarely suffer from serious problems.

The barrels are chopper lump, 28" long and have 2 ¾" chambers. Usually the chokes were ½ and full. Though most would prefer these a little looser at around ¼ and ½ , and many No.4's have been bored out to this or similar.

Top rib is as standard a concave smooth game rib, finished with a small silver foresight.
The action is based on the Anson and Deeley boxlock design. The beauty of this design is its simplicity and strength. It comprises of 4 main parts to work each side: sear, hammer, mainspring and cocking lever or dog.

The top lever connects to the bolt with a Scott spindle. And the auto safe works off the bolt as it is moved back by the top lever.

Triggers are usually double but there are No.4's out there with single triggers.

The ejector work is in the Southgate style with two hammers kicked by powerful vee springs. AYA are in fact well known for their powerful ejection, and will often launch a fired case far into the air.
The action body itself is colour case hardened and has limited border scroll work, just enough to give the gun an attractive look, and all the pins or screw heads are engraved. Rather than pegs or wires through the gun on which the sears and hammers pivot, the No4 has small screws that are themselves locked into place with smaller lock screws. Early models did have pegs rather than these small screws. These early guns also had the cover plate integral with the trigger plate, unlike now where the cover plate is separate and may be removed to inspect the mechanism without having to strip the whole gun.
The furniture of the gun i.e. trigger guard, top lever, forend work and cover plate are all finished with black as are the barrels obviously.

Woodwork is usually quite basic, being fairly plain and functional, but they are sometimes found with a bit of figure.

The finish on the wood is from new a dark varnish or lacquer. Removal of this finish and oil finishing will usually enhance the overall appearance of any No.4. Wood to metal fit is always good and the chequer pattern is usually well executed. The butt end is shaped to finish and then chequered. And the guns will normally be bored for balance. Evidence of this is visible by the ends of the wooden plugs in the butt end to fill the ends of the balance holes.

Stock dimensions will usually be: drop at comb 1 ½" and 2 ¼" at the heel. Cast off will be approximately 1/16" for right hand. And the length of pull is usually around the 14 ¾" to 14 7/8 mark.

There are not many problems that occur with a No.4 that can't be sorted out relatively easily.

Top lever springs can break, as can mainsprings and cocking lever springs. Strikers can break, but not often as they are quite stubby and strong. Looseness can be fairly easily sorted with a new cross pin. Which pushes in place. It is always worth checking that this hasn't come loose and is binding the cocking lever if there is no other apparent reason for misfiring or ejector problems. And occasionally ejector kickers will break and demand a little more work to fit a new one but even this is not too difficult.

The overall weight of the gun is 6 ¼ lb. This gives it a lively feel, but still keeps it pointable.

The interesting thing with the No. 4 is that they follow this standard formula in the main, but AYA offer a whole range of specifications that can be incorporated into any model that they build. So it is possible to have a very individual gun. This can include various barrel and stock lengths. Beavertail forend and or pistol grip stock. Single trigger, and ribs of different types i.e. flat, Churchill or concave. You can even have one self opening should you wish although I don't think I have ever seen one.

Dating your No.4 is a little hazardous but roughly:
100000 guns are about early 60's
200000 guns are about late 6o's
300000 guns are about early 70's
400000 are mid to late 70's
500000 are late 70's to early 80's
600000 are early mid 80's

this works for all AYA guns but is at best approximate.
Values £ 3-400 for early or older guns
£ 450 to 600 for average to good guns
and £ 600 to £750 for good or late examples.

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