Barrel markings on my Aramberri SxS

[jar]

I have an Aramberri "Star Gauge" 20 gauge that was made in 1971 and imported by Interarms. I bought it in 1972 or 1973 and used it for a couple years until moving around the US kinda put all my shooting on the back burner.

Lately I wanted to get back into shooting so got the old shotguns out and gave each a Spa Day. That's when I noticed something that I likely should have research 40 years ago.

Looking at the barrel markings each barrel is marked 15.6 15.8.

The star stamping is * and *** for full/mod.

Why do both barrels show the same 15.6 15.8 stamping if the chokes are really different?

 

[Speedo66]

Those would probably be the bore diameters in mm's, with the difference (.6-.8) being the choke sizes.

 

[jar]

Those would probably be the bore diameters in mm's, with the difference (.6-.8) being the choke sizes.

That was me first thought but it didn't make sense or seem possible.

Both barrels are stamped with 15.6 and 15.8. The * choke markings (and verified decades ago) are * on left barrel and *** on right. Those markings on Spansif shotguns are for Full/Modified. Since the chokes are different the 15.6 15.8 markings can't be the choke diameters.

 

[PapaG]

I think three stars is going to be mod or imp cyl. Star-full, two-imp mod, three-stars mod, four-imp cyl. Normally. Could go f, m, i.c.

 

[Speedo66]

That was me first thought but it didn't make sense or seem possible.

Both barrels are stamped with 15.6 and 15.8. The * choke markings (and verified decades ago) are * on left barrel and *** on right. Those markings on Spansif shotguns are for Full/Modified. Since the chokes are different the 15.6 15.8 markings can't be the choke diameters.

From Wiki: "The 20-gauge shotgun, also known as "20-bore", is a type of smooth-bore shotgun that fires a shell that is smaller in caliber (.615 in (15.6 mm)) than a 12-gauge shotgun (.729 in (18.5 mm))."

So 15.6mm is the normal 20ga. diameter, why the same two markings on both barrels, no idea.

 

[jar]

I think three stars is going to be mod or imp cyl. Star-full, two-imp mod, three-stars mod, four-imp cyl. Normally. Could go f, m, i.c.

Yes. On Spanish shotguns the tree *** means Modified and one * means Full.

 

[jar]

From Wiki: "The 20-gauge shotgun, also known as "20-bore", is a type of smooth-bore shotgun that fires a shell that is smaller in caliber (.615 in (15.6 mm)) than a 12-gauge shotgun (.729 in (18.5 mm))."

So 15.6mm is the normal 20ga. diameter, why the same two markings on both barrels, no idea.

The good folk over at shotgun world's Spanish Shotgun sub-forum explained that the 15.6 is the original bore during the provisional proofing while the 15.8 is the diameter after finishing and for the final proof.

 

[entropy]

I have an Aramberri "Star Gauge" 20 gauge that was made in 1971 and imported by Interarms. I bought it in 1972 or 1973 and used it for a couple years until moving around the US kinda put all my shooting on the back burner.

Lately I wanted to get back into shooting so got the old shotguns out and gave each a Spa Day. That's when I noticed something that I likely should have research 40 years ago.

Looking at the barrel markings each barrel is marked 15.6 15.8.

The star stamping is * and *** for full/mod.

Why do both barrels show the same 15.6 15.8 stamping if the chokes are really different?

They are the muzzle diameter in mm.

That was me first thought but it didn't make sense or seem possible.

Both barrels are stamped with 15.6 and 15.8. The * choke markings (and verified decades ago) are * on left barrel and *** on right. Those markings on Spansif shotguns are for Full/Modified. Since the chokes are different the 15.6 15.8 markings can't be the choke diameters.

Bore and choke, respectively.

This is a 20 ga. not a 12, which would be about 18.1 and the the mod. 18.2.

 

[jar]

They are the muzzle diameter in mm.

Bore and choke, respectively.

This is a 20 ga. not a 12, which would be about 18.1 and the the mod. 18.2.

Since the left barrel is a Full choke and the right barrel is a Modified choke why would BOTH barrels be stamped 15.6 15.8?

I think the explanation from the folk over at shotgun world makes more sense. They said that the 15.6 was the diameter at the provisional proof and 15.8 the diameter after finishing and for the final proof.

While that does make sense I can't imagine why they would stamp a diameter before and after unless those markings were somehow related to the proofing process.

So much I still don't know.

 

[PapaG]

Rarely will both barrels be identical, especially on earlier Spanish guns. I’m not sure about before and after but the stamped numbers are nominal, behind the choke, bore sizes. In reality,true choke can only be determined by patterning but constriction gives a good indication of what to expect. Cheap shells with soft shot can “open” a choke a half point or more. When that gun was made, plastic, one piece shot protecting wads were not common across the board. Modern shells may well pattern true to designation or tighter.