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

Stephen Grant 12 gauge hammergun, Jones lever, 30" damascus barrels
Stephen Grant 12 gauge hammergun, Jones lever, 30″ damascus barrels

Stephen Grant 12 gauge hammergun, Jones lever, 30″ damascus barrels: Back-action locks. Straight-gripped stock, keyed forend, double triggers, Nitro proofed for 2 3/4″ loads, 14 7/8″ LOP, 6lbs, 5 oz.

Beretta SV-10 Prevail III 12ga. 32″ Sporting Clays gun: Combines innovative features like Q-stock, selective ejection/extraction and a removable trigger group with the same old-world craftsmanship that has made Beretta the choice of champions around the globe for decades.  Featuring Beretta’s dual-conical locking system and low profile receiver for superior balance and handling characteristics, and game scene engraving on receiver. Price: $2,798.00

Beretta SV-10 Prevail III 12ga. 32" Sporting Clays gun
Beretta SV-10 Prevail III 12ga. 32″ Sporting Clays gun
12 gauge Manufrance Ideal. Grade 3. Double Barrel Shotgun
12 gauge Manufrance Ideal. Grade 3. Double Barrel Shotgun

Manufrance “Ideal”. 12g. Great dimensions and features. Grade 3:  Dating from 1929. The French round action and like the Dickson, built on a trigger plate. Straight-grip stock, double triggers, 14 1/4″ LOP, 2 3/4″ chambers, Retractable Sling, 6lb 6oz. Price: $2,600

Browning Citori Superlight Feather 16ga 28″ barrel 16 gauge NIB: Brand New In Box. Price: $2,399

Browning Citori Superlight Feather 16ga 28" barrel Brand New In Box
Browning Citori Superlight Feather 16ga 28″ barrel Brand New In Box

BROWNING SUPERPOSED 12 GA. GRADE 1: (PRE-WAR 1936) – 28″ BARRELS  –  CHOKES F/M  – 80% BLUE ON BARRELS  – SIDES  70% – BOTTOM ABOUT 45% -TAND 0%  –  BORES MINT : Price: $1545

BROWNING SUPERPOSED 12 GA. GRADE 1, Double Triggers
BROWNING SUPERPOSED 12 GA. GRADE 1, Double Triggers

 

Auction Alert: a stunning Italian pinfire shotgun…

Stunning Italian pinfire shotgun by Izzo
Stunning Italian pinfire shotgun by Izzo

I’ve seen a lot of Italian shotguns – from basic Berettas to top-of-the-line O/Us and side-by-sides by Bosis and  F.lli Rizzini. But almost all of these have been post WW2 shotguns. For some reason, I’ve seen very few Italian shotguns from the first half of the 20th century or the 19th century.

That’s why this 19th century double barrel pinfire shotgun by Alfonso Izzo caught my eye. Not only is it an antique, but it looks like it’s in stunning original condition. Just look at the color on the action and the browning on the damascus barrels — that’s all original. So is the finish on the wood. And check out the engraving – it’s look very English to me. In its day, this shotgun must have been the finest the maker could produce. Today its retains that aura that quality always has.

Stunning Italian pinfire shotgun by Izzo
Stunning Italian pinfire shotgun by Izzo

The pinfire system was one of the first successful breechloading designs. It came into use around 1855 and lasted just a handful of years. Centerfire breechloaders came onto the market about 1865 and withing a few years they had killed off the pinfires.

This shotgun also uses a Jones-style underlever, first patented in 1859. The Jones underlever would go on to be one of the most successful actions ever created. Shotguns and rifles were built on it right into the 20th century.