Auction alert: 20g Beretta ASEL O/U shotgun …

Lot 112: Beretta model ASEL Over Under shotgun chambered for 2 3/4" or 3" 20 gauge:
Lot 112: Beretta model ASEL Over Under shotgun chambered for 2 3/4″ or 3″ 20 gauge:

Here’s your chance to get a great deal on one of the best bird guns Beretta has built. Connecticut Firearms Auctions has this Beretta model ASEL Over Under shotgun in their Spring Firearms Auction. The auction starts on Saturday, April 10, 2021 @ 1pm EST.

In the 1930s, Beretta introduced its first Over Under —  or Sovroposto — shotgun. Beretta’s SO shotguns were sidelocks and they utilized the company’s version of Woodward’s low-profile, OU design.

Lot 112: Beretta model ASEL Over Under shotgun chambered for 2 3/4" or 3" 20 gauge:
Lot 112: Beretta model ASEL Over Under shotgun chambered for 2 3/4″ or 3″ 20 gauge:

After WW2, Beretta introduced a boxlock version of their SOs, These guns came in at least three models (ASE, ASEL, and ASEELL). They locked up like Beretta SO-series shotguns and ones made after 1960 came with Boehler Antinit steel barrels. Basically they were top quality doubles at more affordable prices.

This one looks like it’s in nice shape — even though some knucklehead ported the barrels.

Lot 112: Beretta model ASEL Over Under shotgun chambered for 2 3/4" or 3" 20 gauge:
Lot 112: Beretta model ASEL Over Under shotgun chambered for 2 3/4″ or 3″ 20 gauge:

Lot 112: Beretta model ASEL Over Under shotgun chambered for 2 3/4″ or 3″ 20 gauge:  Serial: 16465 With code XII dating this to 1956, the 28″ vent ribbed and ported single bead barrels have been threaded with removable chokes. Chokes that come with this gun installed appear to be skeet and skeet. The receiver with single trigger is completely engraved and is dressed in a nicely checkered light walnut stock and forend. Bottom barrel ejector sticks otherwise overall condition is excellent with mirror bores and just a few minor marks from use. Ships to FFL and C&R only. Measurements: Bore Diameter @ 9″ from muzzle O= .627 U= .629 Wall Thickness @ 9″ from muzzle = .038 (Both) LOP @ Heel= 13 9/16″ LOP @ Toe= 13 5/8″ Choke: O=.625 U=.627 Drop @ Comb = 1 1/2″ Drop @ Heel = 2 1/8″ Weight= 5.4 lbs Estimate: $2,000 – $4,000

This week’s good guns: Powered by Gunsinternational.com…

Beretta AS20EL Over Under Premium 20ga 28inch bbls- very nice-vary rare in 28inch
Beretta AS20EL Over Under Premium 20ga 28inch bbls- very nice-vary rare in 28inch

Beretta AS20EL Over Under Premium Over Under 20ga 28inch bbls: 2 3/4″ chambers, 28″ barrels with a vent rib and choked Mod. and Full, (see pictures for barrel weight 1,130kg and constriction) 14 1/4″ LOP over old Pachmyr Pad, ejectors, double triggers, English Stock grip, Game Forend (trim) and checkering is all there, coin finished receiver withfine hand engraving of acanthus scroll work, bottom of action also engraved “Brevettato” and “Italy”, excellent condition with some handling marks. These ASE -AS20EL- guns were made between 1947 and 1964.  This is a 20 bore and is very scarce and were very limited. 20 bores are known to have extraordinaryily trim frames and stocks and are usually as light as a 28 bore.  The 20s are even more scarce.
Appears to be all original (except pad) and overall Excellent Condition. Clearly hasn’t been used hard. Price: $9,250

A H Fox, Phil., XE Grade #4 weight barrels Gorgeous Engraving
A H Fox, Phil., XE Grade #4 weight barrels Gorgeous Engraving

A H Fox, Phil., XE Grade #4 weight barrels Gorgeous Engraving: 12 GAUGE, 30″ BARRELS, FULL AND MODIFIED, KRUPP STEEL, 2 3/4″ CHAMBERS, EXCELLENT BLUE, MIRROR BORES, TWIN IVORY SIGHTS, AUTOMATIC EJECTORS, NO. 4 WEIGHT BARRELS.  GORGEOUS VERY DEEP CUT ENGRAVING, 100% COVERAGE, CASE COLOR IN THE PROTECTED AREAS.  PISTOL GRIP STOCK, LONG SPLINTER FOREARM VERY FINE CHECKERING, HIGHLY FIGURED CIRCASSIAN WALNUT, LEATHER COVERED PAD.  NICE HIGH GRADE FOX MADE IN 1916.  GREAT DIMENSIONS – 1 1/2″ X 2 1/2″ X 14″, 7 1/2 POUNDS. Price: $7,500

J.P. Sauer and Sons Model 40E Side-by-Side 12ga/28" Prussian Mfg
J.P. Sauer and Sons Model 40E Side-by-Side 12ga/28″ Prussian Mfg

J.P. Sauer and Sons Model 40E Side-by-Side 12ga/28″ Prussian Mfg: Scalloped boxlock receiver with full coverage game scenes of upland birds, waterfowl, and dogs surrounded by acanthus leaf and scroll, double trigger, ejectors, finely checkered side panels, side clips, Krupp Steel barrels with a matted rib and 2 5/8″ chambers, Mod/Full, pistol grip, splinter forearm with an ebony tip, 14 1/4″ LOP over a Hawkins vented recoil pad. This vintage gun still remains in high condition for its age and maintains approx. 60% of its original case colors. Price: $5,995

BERETTA - RARE - Special Order - S56E - 20ga - 2 Barrel Set - SST - Ejectors - Hand Engraved
BERETTA – RARE – Special Order – S56E – 20ga – 2 Barrel Set – SST – Ejectors – Hand Engraved

BERETTA – RARE – Special Order – S56E – 20ga – 2 Barrel Set – SST – Ejectors – Hand EngravedSingle Selective Trigger, Ejectors, LOP 14-1/4″, Drop 1-9/16″ to 2-5/8″, Weight 5 lbs. 15 oz. Barrel 1: 28″, 3″ Chambers, Choked – Improved Modified / Full. Barrel 2: 26-1/2″, 2-3/4″ Chambers, Choked – Improved Cylinder / Modified. Rare Gun: Special Order – Factory 2 Barrel Set with Factory Pad. Earlier version of the gun that Garcia called the BL-4. Price: $2350

Beretta S 686 OU Ultra Light 12 GA 28 in, 6lbs
Beretta S 686 OU Ultra Light 12 GA 28 in, 6lbs

Beretta S 686 OU Ultra Light 12 GA 28 in, 6lbsPrice: $1,199.99
Manufacturer: 1991
Caliber: 12 Gauge
Chambers: 2 3/4 inch.
Metal Condition: Very good with some small scratches.
Wood Condition: Very good with some small scratches, dings, and dents.
Bore Condition: Clean and bright.
Barrels: 28 inch.
Triggers: Single selective.
Stock: Checkered walnut.
Stock Dimensions:
1 1/2 inch DOC ~ 2 1/4 inch DOH ~ 14 1/4 inch LOP
Fore End: Checkered walnut.
Butt Pad: KICK EEZ recoil pad.
Weight: 6 lbs.
Sights: White front bead with metal mid bead.
Chokes: Mobil choke system.
Extras: Comes with 2 choke tubes, Improved Cylinder and Cylinder.

Good gun alert: 20 gauge Beretta ASE, 28″ bbls, double triggers …

20 gauge Beretta ASE, 28" barrels, Double triggers
20 gauge Beretta ASE, 28″ barrels, Double triggers

Here’s one of the holy grails of grouse and quail guns. It’s a 20 gauge Beretta ASE, and what makes it so very special are the  28″ barrels and proper double triggers (most have 26 1/2″ bbls and single triggers). While it’s priced on the strong side, it just might be worth it. The 28″-bbls & double triggers configuration is just that hard to find.

Beretta introduced the ASEs in 1949 as lightweight hunting guns, and the company made them into the 1960s (the current ASEs are heavier, target guns, and not as nice). Early ASEs shotguns came in 2 gauges (12g and 20g) and 3 grades (ASE, ASEL, and ASEELL). I’ve been told that they were all made in Beretta S- and then SO -shop, the place where the company made it’s sidelock OUs. I’ve read that the ASEs used many of same features and parts as well, along with a great deal hand fitting. That made these guns very quality — probably among the highest-quality boxlock OUs every built in Italy.

BERETTA AS20E O/U 20 GAUGE28″ VENT RIB MOD AND FULL 2 3/4 DOUBLE TRIGGER EJECTORS FIELD FOREARM PISTOL GRIP EXCELLENT CONDITION 5LBS 10 OZ X 2″ X 1 1/2″ X 14 5/8″. Price: $4,950

20 gauge Beretta ASE, 28" barrels, Double triggers
20 gauge Beretta ASE, 28″ barrels, Double triggers
20 gauge Beretta ASE, 28" barrels, Double triggers
20 gauge Beretta ASE, 28″ barrels, Double triggers
20 gauge Beretta ASE, 28" barrels, Double triggers20 gauge Beretta ASE, 28" barrels, Double triggers
20 gauge Beretta ASE, 28″ barrels, Double triggers

A couple nice Beretta O/Us: a 20g ASE EELL & a 12g BL-4….

Beretta ASE 20 EELL Scarce 20 Bore O/U
Beretta ASE 20 EELL Scarce 20 Bore O/U

Beretta has been in the gun biz for a long time, and since they introduced their first O/Us around 1935, they’ve refining their designs and developing new over unders.

Beretta introduced ASEs in 1949. A boxlock version of their SOs, they’re made with SO-type actions and feature the SO’s Kersten-style top bolts and removable bbl cheek pieces.

ASEs came in 12g and 20g, there were built in 3 grades (ASE, ASEL, and ASEELL). T0day, the ASEs are common, but top-of-the-line models like the EELL you see here are scarce.

Beretta ASE 20 EELL Scarce 20 Bore O/U: Circa pre-1964, 20 bore, 2 3/4″ chambers, 26″ barrels with a hand file cut solid rib and choked .015 Mod. and .025 Full, 14 3/4″ LOP over a 7/8″ leather covered pad, 1 7/16″ DAC, 2 5/16″ DAH, 1/8″ cast off, 5 lbs. 11 oz., ejectors, single gold trigger, straight grip, coin finished receiver with very fine hand engraving of large and bold stylized acanthus scroll with foliate and floral work signed by B. Consoli, bottom of action also engraved “P. Beretta, Gardone” and “Brevettato”, nicely figured European walnut, excellent condition with some handling marks.  These ASE guns are very scarce and were very limited.  20 bores are even more scarce. Price: $14,995

Beretta ASE 20 EELL Scarce 20 Bore O/U
Beretta ASE 20 EELL Scarce 20 Bore O/U

Beretta’s BL over-unders were built from the late ’60 into the ’70s. Like ASEs, these O/Us are boxlock-style guns. With the BLs, Beretta introduced the dual locking bolts used on many of the O/U’s the make today. The Garcia Sporting Arms Corporation Beretta BLs and they offered them in four grades: BL-1, BL-3, BL-4 & BL-5. In 1970, the BL-4 below cost $375. At the same time, sidelock Beretta SO-3s started at $1200.

This one is on Gunbroker.com now, and the listing ends Monday, 4/21/2014, @ 4:26:58 PM ET.

Beretta BL-4 12g Over Under Shotgun: This shotgun has 30 inch vent rib fixed choke barrels, twin beads, an engraved receiver, a tang mounted safety/barrel selector, selective ejectors, and a very nice checkered hardwood stock with a black grip cap and an attached recoil pad. It is in very good 90% condition with a little bit of freckling on the barrels and some handling marks on the stock. The bore are in mirror bright condition and the action is very tight. Choked full over modified. 14.25 inch length of pull. 1.5 inch drop at the comb, 2.5 inch drop at the heel. 3 inch chamber. Made in 1971.

Beretta BL-4 12g Over Under Shotgun
Beretta BL-4 12g Over Under Shotgun
Beretta BL-4 12g Over Under Shotgun
Beretta BL-4 12g Over Under Shotgun

 

Good gun alert: 12 gauge Beretta ASE, 30″ barrels…

Beretta ASE-L 12ga, double triggers, 30" light full and improved cylinder barrels
Beretta ASE-L 12ga, double triggers, 30″ light full and improved cylinder barrels
Beretta ASE-L 12ga, double triggers, 30" light full and improved cylinder barrels
Beretta ASE-L 12ga, double triggers, 30″ light full and improved cylinder barrels
Beretta ASE-L 12ga, double triggers, 30" light full and improved cylinder barrels
Beretta ASE-L 12ga, double triggers, 30″ light full and improved cylinder barrels
Beretta ASE-L 12ga, double triggers, 30" light full and improved cylinder barrels
Beretta ASE-L 12ga, double triggers, 30″ light full and improved cylinder barrels

I’m a big fan of Beretta’s original line of ASE boxlock O/U shotguns. Beretta introduced the ASEs in 1949 as lightweight hunting guns, and the company made them into the 1960s (the current ASEs are heavier, target guns, and not as nice). The early ASEs shotguns came in 2 gauges (12g and 20g) and 3 grades (ASE, ASEL, and ASEELL).

Most of the ASEs I’ve seen have been 20 gauges. The few 12 bores I’ve come across have had 26″ or 28″ barrels.

This is the first one I’ve seen with longer, 30″, tubes. It’s on Gunbroker.com now and the auction ends tomorrow, 1/4/2014, @ 12:29:31 PM ET.

Beretta ASE-L 12ga, double triggers, 30″ light full and improved cylinder barrels: Ejectors, solid rib, new Beretta hammer springs and lever springs. New 3/4″ recoil pad with changeable 1/2″ recoil pad included. LOP to wood 14 1/16″, with 3/4″ pad 14 7/8″. Drop at heel 2 1/4″, drop at comb 1 1/2″. Made in 1954. Rare with 30″ barrels. Excellent mechanical condition with a few light handling marks.

Good gun alert: a straight-gripped 20 gauge Beretta ASE over under…

1953 Beretta ASE Boxlock 20 Gauge Straight Grip
1953 Beretta ASE Boxlock 20 Gauge Straight Grip

Back in 1949, Beretta started building a series of shotguns that would become legends. This was the AS-line, and the shotguns were boxlock O/Us. Beretta built them as lightweight hunting guns, and the company offered 2 gauges (12g and 20g) and 3 grades (ASE, ASEL, and ASEELL). Today, a lot of Beretta fanatics consider the AS-grades to be the best boxlock shotguns made by the Italian company. If you want one, they’re usually out there, but hard to find.

The one you see here is one of the tougher configurations to come across. It would be perfect in the uplands, and even though the bbls are a bit short, but I doubt a couple inches will make a difference on grouse & woodcock.

Here’s more about it from the seller:

1953 Beretta ASE Boxlock 20 Gauge Straight Grip
1953 Beretta ASE Boxlock 20 Gauge Straight Grip

1953 Beretta AS 20E Boxlock 20 Gauge: 26 inch skeet and skeet chokes. This gun is 99% receiver 97% barrels and 98% wood. Serial # is 11xxx. WT 5lb 7oz DAC 1 3/8 DAH 2 1/8 LOP 14.  Price: $3,700.00

1953 Beretta ASE Boxlock 20 Gauge Straight Grip
1953 Beretta ASE Boxlock 20 Gauge Straight Grip