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Old September 22, 2010, 06:47 PM   #1
Trigger Time
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Anybody Know This O/U?

I saw a used O/U shotgun at a gunshop today. It was 12 ga.,walnut stocked, engraved S/S receiver, two triggers. It was imported by Armscorp, and I believe it was made by Breschia. It definitely said made in Italy. Opinions? Value? Age?
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Old September 22, 2010, 07:13 PM   #2
PetahW
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The Gardone Valley area of Brescia, (Northern) Italy has been (for several hundred years) a gunmaking center - mostly composed of small specialists, each of which may make (say) only barrels, others only the stocks, others the actions, and yet others assemble/fit the guns and market them to import/export firms like Armscorp, Navy Arms, etc, etc.

While some of the small companies have grown into large corporations over the years (Beretta, Benelli, Franchi, etc), thay all usually marked in some way whatever they made.

The marks stamped into the metal of the action flats and the barrel sides/undersides, all normally hidden when the gun is fully assembled, can sometimes be deciphered to discern who/when made the gun.

While some value could be attributed to one of the better makers, part of the values would also lie in features (like ejectors/not, vent rib/not, etc) and condition (including mechanical operating condition) & engraving/decoration.

..
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Old September 22, 2010, 07:38 PM   #3
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Those markings may also tell you the bore and choke diameters and the barrel weight (all metric). Knowing the barrel weight (per length) may give an indication of the steel quality. The double triggers typically indicate an older and/or less expensive gun. Some pics of the gun and the proof marks will help. What do you mean by "S/S": Stainless steel, skeet and skeet, or...?
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Old September 22, 2010, 09:13 PM   #4
oneounceload
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Quote:
and I believe it was made by Breschia.
Change the BY to IN an you have it correct - Breschia is an area, not a maker
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Old September 23, 2010, 06:26 AM   #5
Trigger Time
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Thanks for all the input so far. By S/S, I meant Stainless Steel, It does have extractors and a vent rib. Overall it appears to be in excellent condition. Does $450 sound reasonable?
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Old September 23, 2010, 02:24 PM   #6
BigJimP
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Does it have screw in chokes ? If no, what is it choked ? What do you want to use the gun for ??

How old is the gun - any idea ?

I think I remember that brand being sold by some of the big box stores - like Big 5 Sporting Goods ?? or maybe Dicks ... 15 - 20 yrs ago ...and they were inexpensive at the time ( maybe $ 250 ) - when a new Browning Citori Lightning at the time was around $ 700...
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Old September 23, 2010, 04:57 PM   #7
PetahW
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FWIW, I don't recall any low/field grade Italian O/U's made with a stainless steel receiver.

What looks like stainless steel may actually be a carbon steel receiver with a finish commonly referred to as "pickled", and sometimes as "French Grey".

.
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Old September 23, 2010, 06:38 PM   #8
oneounceload
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or, it could be the "silver nitride" finish like on my SKBs'
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Old January 7, 2013, 12:06 PM   #9
Asphalt Guy
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Is this the same gun?

I'm looking for info on mine as well.
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