Jack O'Connor (January 22, 1902 - January 20, 1978) was an author and outdoorsman best known as a writer for "Outdoor Life" magazine where he was a Shooting Editor for 31 years. He wrote over a dozen non-fiction books including "Game in The Desert", "The Rifle Book" and "The Art of Hunting". It is estimated by Jack's son Bradford that his father wrote more than 1,200 articles for hunting and fishing magazines. In 2006 the Jack O'Connor Hunting and Education Center opened in Hells Gate State Park on the Snake River near Lewiston, Idaho. This shotgun was made for Mr. O'Connor and is marked "SPECIALLY MANUFACTURED/FOR/MR. JACK O'CONNOR" on the breech end of the upper barrel. The two-line address is on the opposite side. The accompanying letter from a Jack O'Connor Hunting Heritage & Education center board member, Elden Buckner, confirms that this shotgun was made for Jack O'Connor, who likely picked up the shotgun in Madrid after his first African safari in 1953, and that this shotgun is pictured with Mr. O'Connor in an article he wrote for Outdoor Life entitled "Handling The Shotgun" (original magazine included). In the included book "The Shotgun Book," O'Connor writes about Spanish shotguns and informs the reader that has used a 16 gauge AYA over/under shotgun (see pages 38 and 50). Although not listed by serial number, it is extremely likely that the shotgun referenced in the book is this AYA. The shotgun features two bead sights on the vent rib. 2 3/4 inch chambers, choked extra full/improved modified with ejectors. The breech end of the barrels is bordered with floral scroll. The action features fine scroll engraving and marked "AGUIRRE Y ARANZABAL" on each side. The side plates are nicely decorated with seven ducks in a marsh scene on the left side and five pheasants in a wooded scene on the right side. The fine floral scroll engraving extends to the trigger guard, forearm knuckle and break lever. A gold inlaid lion over "AYA" is also on the break lever. The action and detachable side locks are coin finish and the remaining metal surfaces are blue. Single trigger with selector, cocking indicators, tang mounted manual safety with gold "S", and mounted with a multi-point checkered three-piece walnut forearm and pistol grip stock with a relief carved horn grip cap, checkered bare butt and a gold inset eagle/shield motif over gold "J O'C" on the underside. Barrel and stock dimensions are: bore diameter at 9 inches from breech .659/.659 inch; bore constriction .040/.018 inch; minimum wall thickness .019/.014 inch; drop at comb 1 3/8 inches; drop at heel 1 1/4 inches; length of pull 13 7/8 inches; cast off 1/4 inch.

Fine. The barrels retain 95% original blue finish with a few scattered small areas of spotting, a minor dent in the lower barrel near the forearm (not visible in the bore) and a few minor dings. The trigger guard retains 90% thinning original blue finish with a slight downward bend visible in grip area, some light oxidation on the balance. Almost all of the original blue finish remains on the break lever, as well as all of the gold inlay. The action and side plates have coin finish. The wood is good with a number of minor dents, dings and scratches, (mainly on the stock), and crisp checkering. The markings are clear. The engraving is crisp. Mechanically excellent, though the barrel walls are thin. This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to own a gun presented to and used by one of the most celebrated outdoor writers of the 20th Century!