Return of the Side By Side?

Are they returning? Have they ever actually left...?

Returning to our countryside, where they have always belonged, are "parallel" shotguns.

Parallel or side-by-side shotguns are the "dame of all shotguns", simple elegance that harks back to the good old days if you will... the romantisism of the side-by-side is something that every true hunter understands...

The original designs were an evolution of muzzle loading firearms. They were actually conceived as the first repeating weapon of its kind, allowing two consecutive shots (or both simultaneously, known in Spain as "doing the guitar") without the need to reload the firearm.

The first parallel shotguns had external visible hammers, hence are known as hammer shotguns ("perillos" in Spain), where the hammer had to be primed before firing, and had two triggers, one for each barrel. The forward trigger fires the right barrel, normally with a wider choke and the rear trigger, fires the left side barrel, with a closed choke.  They were conceived for walk up hunting with or without gundogs, for situations where game would escape ahead of the hunter, giving the option of open choke for 20-25 meters for the first shot, and a second similar shot more closed but at 35-40 meters.

Although they are often called parallel, actually, they are not built exactly parallel as the barrels always are designed to converge at a certain point. This point varies from between 40 to 60 meters, although the shot spread begins to converge at 20m. In fact, when the convergence is too pronounced, we refer to them in Spain as being "cross-eyed", although in reality I have never actually seen this effect, and perhaps its an urban myth that has its origin in detractors of the side-by-side shotgun. 

Side-by-side shotguns have many and diverse variations, with the most common being the boxlock or sidelock action. As a simple explanation we can say that the boxlock mechanisms are more refined and costly due to their greater complexity in the firing mechanism. 

In my opinion, a shot fired with a parallel shotgun is far more instinctive than in other types of shotgun, in fact in situations of two rapid shots, the second shot, being very close after the first, is to all purposes a general shot that "hits where it hits". The "parallel" hunter often is more selective when chosing to take a shot and lets the game reach its optimum point "cumplir", in order to maximise more a successful shot. (I don't mean at all to say that the good hunter of other types of shotgun doesn't do exactly the same)

As the barrels are arranged parallel to the horizontal plane (the ground), this configuration allows greater lateral visibility and the rib, the piece that covers where the barrels join, is a key element for aiming and is where at the end of the barrels, the fore sight is located. Normally this is a metal ball, or a white ball, not so common are high visibility fibres, etc... 

One of my prized jewels, boxlock, english stock... 

If we comfortably shoulder the shotgun, the perfect shot is made with both eyes open. It's often said that these types of shotgun kick more than other types. Probably as the traditional shotgun does not have any mechanisms for taking advantage of the recoil force to reload or rearm the gun. Moreover, the recoil plain, due to the arrangement of the barrels is far more perpendicular to our body, meaning that we have to take the full force of the recoil...

In the USA, they are known as "coah guns" and have an active market, but these arms normally with a shorter barrel and often with hammers, are not effective for hunting.

It is the European market, in particular the UK, Spain, France and Germany (to a lesser extent) where these classic guns of the greatest tradition can be found. Today, they can be seen more and more on hunting grounds and estates, and many hunters have a place reserved in their armery for a side-by-side shotgun. 

As I have stated, they are classic, simple in appearence, elegant by design, and easy to handle by their owners, although it is good practise to take them to a good gunsmith every other season for a revision. Some may confuse the classic aspect of these guns as being "old-fashioned" or "outdated" and the double trigger (there are also one trigger versions, in Spain for released pigeon shooting "tiro pichón") also gives some the idea of being from yesteryear or complicated.

Marvellous Grulla

 A beautiful Garbi

Ugartechea sidelock wild boar edition (these shotguns often have rifled barrels and rearsights)

In terms of gunsmiths, the heritage comes from England, and even today, the Purdey's, the Holland&Holland's are still revered "Royalty" when it comes to these classic arms. En Spain, in particular in Eibar in the Basque Country, is where the "aristocracy" in gunsmiths can be found, with "fine" guns produced by: Sarasketa, Ugartechea, Grulla, Zabala, Aguirre Y Aranzabal (AYA), Zubillaga... its a real shame that there are as each year goes by fewer of these great Spanish names, many who have made a mark even in England. Those that remain, are focussed on custom manufacturing of guns of the very highest quality, real works of art and for sure collectors items for the future due to their hand made craftsmanship.  

I am fortuate to have two marvellous "paralelas", one boxlock with an english stock, and another sidelock with a pistol stock. Many a morning has passed where I have left their more modern "cousins" behind in the armery to spend unforgettable outings in search of red-legged partridge or the fenomenal quial. 

It must be said that I always return with a smile from ear to ear, deeply thankfull and proud to be the owner of these timeless companions...