I wasn’t going to put up a post about this OU. “No Reserve” auctions with high starting bids annoy me, and I most of the time I don’t like drawing attention to them.
I think the Beretta BL-5 is better than both of them, and it has nicer wood, too. It’s on Gunbroker.com now, and the listing ends on 12/30/2015 @ 2:56:53 PM ET.
BERETTA BL-5 20 GA. OU SHOTGUN: BEAUTIFUL AND RARE BERETTA O/U 20 GA. SHOTGUN. CUSTOM WALNUT STOCK, 28″ F/M BARRELS, ST, VR, WITH A THIN PAD. A VERY HIGH QUALITY BOX LOCK FROM ONE OF THE FINEST ITALIAN MAKERS.
If I had to name one shotgun a best buy, it would be Beretta’s BL line of OUs. These guns were imported into the US in the ’60s & ’70s by the Garcia Corporation. With various degrees of engraving and a touch better finishing, I think they’re a bit more refined the 686s Beretta offered in years later.
Rare Beretta BL-3 28 ga. O/U
This first Beretta BL is a BL-3 in 28g. It’s listed on Gunbroker.com at No Reserve, and the auction ends on 10/25/2015 5:58:16 PM ET.
Rare Beretta BL-3 28 ga. O/U: Arguably the finest Box Lock Beretta ever manufactured. This rare 28 gauge is choked S/S. Barrels measure a tad over 26 in. Length of pull is about 14 inches from the pachmyer pad (done right) to the trigger. This beauty is in Excellent condition. I am including a reprint of a Garcia Imports magazine featuring the shotguns from Beretta dated from 1969-1970. A true quail destroyer!
This next one is 20g BL-4. It’s also listed on Gunbroker.com at No Reserve, and the auction ends on 11/1/2015 8:00:00 PM ET.
Beretta BL-4 O/U 20 gauge, 20 ga, 26″ bbls
Beretta BL-4 O/U 20 gauge, 20 ga, 26″ bbls: Really nice Beretta BL-4 over/under 20 gauge. LOP at 14&1/8″. IC & Mod barrels. Takes 3″ shells. $45 shipping via USPS priority to FFL. Sales to California okay with prior permission from your FFL.
This last one is a BL-5 in 20g. This one is on Gunbroker.com, but it’s being offered at a fixed price: $2,475. That’s a lot, but I’ve seen very few BL-5s. If you have to have one, here it is.
BERETTA BL-5 Over Under, 20g, 27″ bbls
BERETTA BL-5 Over Under, 20g, 27″ bbls: This is a rare, and highly sought after Beretta BL-5. Please do not confuse this with the S-57 models. Each is clearly marked on the receiver. Some individuals would have buyers believe they are the same. They are not. The BL series is the finest box lock guns that Beretta ever made. This example has a 27″ barrel, vent rib, single trigger, and gorgeous wood. The chokes are F/M.
Even though the British invented the low-profile over-under shotgun (Boss & Co,. 1909), it was the Italians made them affordable enough for a mass market. Beretta started down this path in 1935 when they started selling their SO-series sidelock O/Us.
They followed this effort up in 1949 with a more affordable boxlock version – the ASEs. Later the company introduced their BL-line of boxlock O/Us, and made their lightweight, low profile design available to much wider audience. The BLs came in grades from the BL-1 to the BL-5, and they were the kind of shotguns that introduced thousands of shooters to the benefits and quality of Italian O/Us.
Holland and Holland Royal matched pair, 12 gauge, double barrel shotguns
Holland and Holland Royal matched pair 12 gauge: Each gun has 2 sets of barrels.One set is 30″ long and choked improved cylinder and improved modified.The second set is 25″long and choked improved and improved.The 30″ barrels are 21/2″ chambered and the shorter barrels are 23/4″.The stock dimensions are 143/4″ x 11/2″ x21/4″ with 3/8″ cast off at heel.The guns weigh 6-4 each.Cased in a VC motor case. Made in the mid 1920s.Serial numbers are 29453 and 29454. Price: $64,900
Pedro Arrizabalaga 20 gauage Double Barrel Side-by-Side Shotgun
Pedro Arrizabalaga 20 gauge side by side shotgun: 27-1/2″ barrels with flat file cut rib, choked modified and full, 2-3/4″ chambers. A best quality, hand-detachable sidelock with sideclips, and hidden third fastener. Self-opening coin finished action engraved in an early Holland & Holland acanthus pattern. Double triggers with articulated front trigger, splinter forend, straight diamond grip of well-figured European walnut measures 1-3/8″ comb, 2-1/8″ heel, 15-1/8″ over a full leather fitted pad. Weighs 6 lbs, 6 oz. Cased. Price: $8,750.
L. Santina Bernardelli – Rebounding Hammer – Side Lock – 28ga
L. Santina Bernardelli – Rebounding Hammer – Side Lock – 28ga – English Stock; 1969, 2-3/4″, 27-3/4″ Extractor Barrels, M / F (.016 / .030), Hand Filed Rib, Double Triggers, English Stock, LOP 14-5/8″, Drop 1-1/2″ to 2-1/4″, Weight 4 lbs. 14 oz. 99% with only a couple of very minor marks. Price: $3,650.00
BERETTA – BL-5 – – RARE Factory 2 Barrel Set, 12ga, 28″ M / F & 26-1/2″ SK / SK:
BERETTA – BL-5 – – RARE Factory 2 Barrel Set, 12ga, 28″ M / F & 26-1/2″ SK / SK: Ejectors, Single Selective Trigger, LOP 14-1/4″, Drop 1-1/2″ to 2-3/8″, Weight 7 lbs. 2 oz. When the BL Series was first introduced, the BL-5 was Beretta’s best grade. Box Lock Over Under. This BL-5 was made at about the time of the BL-6 introduction. Much of the engraving on this gun is done by hand. It has a very nice stock, a long trigger guard tang, and a Silver Pigeon inlay on the operating lever. Mechanically, the gun is excellent: it is tight, has all original finishes, bores are perfect. There are scattered areas of surface rust. Price: $1,475.00
FOX STERLINGWORTH 16 GAUGE WITH 28″ BARRELS: Here is a nice condition Fox Sterlingworth 16 Gauge with 28″ barrels. Original case colors in protected areas. Gun is tight on face with toplever right of center. Bores measure right at .664 with Mod Choke and .661 with Full Choke. Chambers are 2 9/16″ as original. Good bores. Auto safety. No cracks in wood. Weight of gun is 6 LBS. 5 3/8 OZ. Shipping is $35. Stock dimensions follow. Price $1,100.
