SPANISH BEST: THE FINE SHOTGUNS OF SPAIN. By Terry Wieland.

(1994) ND 2nd printing. Small 4to (185 x 260mm). Ppxix,236. Colour plates, b/w photographs, illustrations. Brown cloth, spine titled in gilt.

This is a detailed account of the gunmakers of the Basque Country, on the North Atlantic coast. Often established for centuries, the makers of this region have long produced both high quality bespoke weapons and the mass-produced variety. In recent years, overseas shooters have come to appreciate the quality of Basque shotguns, at a price often rather lower than that of their competitors in other European countries. Terry Wieland's book is divided into three sections - the first historical, the second examining makers of note who are currently active; Eibar and the Gunmakers' School and Museum; the modern spanish side by side; Aguirre y Aranzabal; Elgoibar; Pedro Arizabalaga; Armas Garbi; Ignacio Ugartechea; Spanish guns in America; tomorrow. Appendices deal with; ordering a shotgun, glossary of English and spanish terminology, Spanish proof and the Eibar proof house, bibliography, Spanish shotgun makers (1972), a directory of Spanish custom gunmakers (1994). Aimed at an American audience who are far less aware of the Basque country than European shooters, this is an interesting and readable book about a gun making region which has received far less attention than its equivalents in, say, Britain or Italy.