Bernardelli 20 ga

bgreen · November 1, 2006, 12:16 AM

I borrowed this shotgun from my father last week, and would like to know more about it. Year, model, value, anything interesting basically.

Could "Acciaio" be the model name? Any information at all would be greatly appreciated!

I have many pictures taken from different angles if they would be of any assistance.

Thank you,

Brook

bgreen · November 1, 2006, 12:25 AM

serial number...

bgreen · November 1, 2006, 10:33 PM

anyone?

Bill DeShivs · November 2, 2006, 06:58 PM

I'm not much of a shotgun guy, but Bernardelli makes very fine guns. The engraving on yours tells me that it is not an upper-end gun, but is certainly not lower-tier either.
Bill

COK · November 2, 2006, 07:24 PM

A nice looking gun you have.
A book I have says the company has been in the military arms business since 1721 and commercial starting in 1928.
They have made a number of models and grades of SXS's and I do not see one by that specific name . Prices seem to run from $700- $2000 in very good condition for most models , However they have made some high grade models that run to several thousand .

bgreen · November 2, 2006, 10:12 PM

Quote:

I'm not much of a shotgun guy, but Bernardelli makes very fine guns. The engraving on yours tells me that it is not an upper-end gun, but is certainly not lower-tier either.
Bill

Even for a gun that could be very old? What does a guy look for when determining the quality of the engraving?

Thanks for the info guys.

johnbt · November 3, 2006, 10:53 AM

Acciaio = steel

After looking through a couple of books, including the 26th Ed. Blue Book, my best guess is one of the S. Uberto models. OTOH, they've made all sorts of guns and import into the U.S. has come and gone over the decades. My '67 Shooter's Bible shows a similar gun - without the engraving - called the Standard Gamecock. Then the Blue Book lists a later lower-priced boxlock called the S. Uberto Gamecock, but later on lists the Uberto series: 1, 1E, 2, 2E, FS, FSE.

For instance, looking at the Blue Book, there's the S. Uberto 2, Anson & Deeley boxlock action, Purdy locks, light scroll engraving, silver finished receiver, double triggers, extractors, discontinued '89, import resumed '93-'97. 100% condition = $1375

The 2E has ejectors.

The 1 has a case-hardened receiver.

The Uberto FS, relief engraved with hunting scenes on silver finished receiver, double triggers, extractors. Importation discontinued '89, resumed '93-'97. 100% condition = $1695

I'd go look around on gunsamerica, but I have some roofing and painting to do.

John

Endigo · November 4, 2006, 08:07 PM

Very nice gun. I don't see any problem with the engraving looks top notch to me. Only thing I can see wrong with it is that it wasn't made in Belgium or Germany.

Bill DeShivs · November 4, 2006, 08:34 PM

There is nothing "wrong" with the engraving, but it is not of the quality found on the high-end guns. Age has nothing to do with it- very fine gun engraving has been around for centuries. I can't explain what high-quality engraving looks like. It's something you acquire after looking at a lot of engraved guns. The coverage on yours tells me it is a medium grade gun that has been profusely decorated.
As far as it being a good gun, it certainly is. The Italians have been making fine doubles for probably more years than the Belgians or Germans.
The book "Steel Canvas" by R.L. Wilson is a good study on engraving.
Bill

Endigo · November 4, 2006, 08:49 PM

How would you know how long they have been gun makers? European guns are of much higher quality. Than Italian.

johnbt · November 4, 2006, 10:01 PM

Italy is not in Europe anymore? I'm confused. I know Beretta is in Italy and is over 500 years old.

John

Bill DeShivs · November 5, 2006, 02:16 AM

Endigo
Your statement shows exactly why I post on these forums.
Bernardelli has been in business since the 1700s. Italy IS in Europe.
Because a gun is from a certain country means nothing. To generalize that way shows ignorance of facts. A fine gun could be made anywhere. Workmanship and materials are not location-dependant. You sound like those old redneck guys at the gun shows-" Why you got that cheap Spanish gun? Why don't you git a GOOD American gun, like a Browning?"
Bernardelli (and Beretta, and Fabarms, and many others) are fine guns. I suspect you wouldn't know a fine gun if it shot you in the arse.
Bill

Endigo · November 5, 2006, 10:05 PM

Good American gun like a Browning? Seems like the best Brownings were made in Belgium.

Bill DeShivs · November 5, 2006, 10:20 PM

Exactly!
Bill

akr · November 5, 2006, 11:07 PM

I know what you mean, Bill. Those old ignorant redneck knuckle draggers will always be around, I guess...wouldn't drive anything but a Foad or Shivilay. Them durn Jap cars ain't worth a [color=#FF0000]█[/color][color=#FF0000]█[/color][color=#FF0000]█[/color][color=#FF0000]█[/color][color=#FF0000]█[/color]!!

November 1, 2006, 10:33 PM	#3
bgreen Junior Member Join Date: September 18, 2006 Location: Kenai Alaska Posts: 7	anyone? __________________ www.alaska4x4network.com

November 2, 2006, 06:58 PM	#4
Bill DeShivs Senior Member Join Date: April 7, 2006 Posts: 10,985	I'm not much of a shotgun guy, but Bernardelli makes very fine guns. The engraving on yours tells me that it is not an upper-end gun, but is certainly not lower-tier either. Bill

November 2, 2006, 07:24 PM	#5
COK Senior Member Join Date: June 18, 2002 Posts: 173	A nice looking gun you have. A book I have says the company has been in the military arms business since 1721 and commercial starting in 1928. They have made a number of models and grades of SXS's and I do not see one by that specific name . Prices seem to run from $700- $2000 in very good condition for most models , However they have made some high grade models that run to several thousand .

November 3, 2006, 10:53 AM	#7
johnbt Senior Member Join Date: December 6, 1999 Location: Richmond, Virginia USA Posts: 6,004	Acciaio = steel After looking through a couple of books, including the 26th Ed. Blue Book, my best guess is one of the S. Uberto models. OTOH, they've made all sorts of guns and import into the U.S. has come and gone over the decades. My '67 Shooter's Bible shows a similar gun - without the engraving - called the Standard Gamecock. Then the Blue Book lists a later lower-priced boxlock called the S. Uberto Gamecock, but later on lists the Uberto series: 1, 1E, 2, 2E, FS, FSE. For instance, looking at the Blue Book, there's the S. Uberto 2, Anson & Deeley boxlock action, Purdy locks, light scroll engraving, silver finished receiver, double triggers, extractors, discontinued '89, import resumed '93-'97. 100% condition = $1375 The 2E has ejectors. The 1 has a case-hardened receiver. The Uberto FS, relief engraved with hunting scenes on silver finished receiver, double triggers, extractors. Importation discontinued '89, resumed '93-'97. 100% condition = $1695 I'd go look around on gunsamerica, but I have some roofing and painting to do. John

November 4, 2006, 08:07 PM	#8
Endigo Junior Member Join Date: November 4, 2006 Posts: 8	Very nice gun. I don't see any problem with the engraving looks top notch to me. Only thing I can see wrong with it is that it wasn't made in Belgium or Germany.

November 4, 2006, 08:34 PM	#9
Bill DeShivs Senior Member Join Date: April 7, 2006 Posts: 10,985	There is nothing "wrong" with the engraving, but it is not of the quality found on the high-end guns. Age has nothing to do with it- very fine gun engraving has been around for centuries. I can't explain what high-quality engraving looks like. It's something you acquire after looking at a lot of engraved guns. The coverage on yours tells me it is a medium grade gun that has been profusely decorated. As far as it being a good gun, it certainly is. The Italians have been making fine doubles for probably more years than the Belgians or Germans. The book "Steel Canvas" by R.L. Wilson is a good study on engraving. Bill

November 4, 2006, 08:49 PM	#10
Endigo Junior Member Join Date: November 4, 2006 Posts: 8	How would you know how long they have been gun makers? European guns are of much higher quality. Than Italian.

November 4, 2006, 10:01 PM	#11
johnbt Senior Member Join Date: December 6, 1999 Location: Richmond, Virginia USA Posts: 6,004	Italy is not in Europe anymore? I'm confused. I know Beretta is in Italy and is over 500 years old. John

November 5, 2006, 02:16 AM	#12
Bill DeShivs Senior Member Join Date: April 7, 2006 Posts: 10,985	Endigo Your statement shows exactly why I post on these forums. Bernardelli has been in business since the 1700s. Italy IS in Europe. Because a gun is from a certain country means nothing. To generalize that way shows ignorance of facts. A fine gun could be made anywhere. Workmanship and materials are not location-dependant. You sound like those old redneck guys at the gun shows-" Why you got that cheap Spanish gun? Why don't you git a GOOD American gun, like a Browning?" Bernardelli (and Beretta, and Fabarms, and many others) are fine guns. I suspect you wouldn't know a fine gun if it shot you in the arse. Bill

November 5, 2006, 10:05 PM	#13
Endigo Junior Member Join Date: November 4, 2006 Posts: 8	Good American gun like a Browning? Seems like the best Brownings were made in Belgium.

November 5, 2006, 10:20 PM	#14
Bill DeShivs Senior Member Join Date: April 7, 2006 Posts: 10,985	Exactly! Bill

November 5, 2006, 11:07 PM	#15
akr Senior Member Join Date: March 6, 2006 Location: Oklahoma Posts: 1,379	I know what you mean, Bill. Those old ignorant redneck knuckle draggers will always be around, I guess...wouldn't drive anything but a Foad or Shivilay. Them durn Jap cars ain't worth a [color=#FF0000]█[/color][color=#FF0000]█[/color][color=#FF0000]█[/color][color=#FF0000]█[/color][color=#FF0000]█[/color]!!