Dogs and Doubles

Tag Archive for 'NEA'

Good gun alert: a 20 gauge FAIR/NEA Model 500 O/U…

by Gregg
20 gauge FAIR/NEA Model 500 O/U.
20 gauge FAIR/NEA Model 500 O/U.

If you’re looking for a decent upland gun, you should take a look at this FAIR/NEA Model 500 O/U. It appears to be in excellent, original condition, and at $1,429.99 , it’s a good deal.

FAIR is an acronym for Fabbrica Armi Isidoro Rizzini, an Italian maker who has been around since 1971. NEA was the notorious New England Arms, the high-end gun dealer known as “The Finest Gunshop in the World” and “The Most Dangerous Place to Buy a Double.” NEA worked with FAIR  in the late 1990s to develop a line of O/U shotguns for the US market. The Model 500 started out as the least expensive model in that line, but it was replaced a couple years later by the Model 400. There were also a couple upper-grade models – the Model 700 and the Model 900. Each model came in 12 gauge, 16 gauge, 20 gauge, 28 gauge, and .410.

All the FAIR/NEA over-unders were built on the reliable trigger-plate style actions featured on many modern Italian O/Us, and their single triggers were sound and dependable.

FAIR NEA 500 20 gauge Over-Under Shotgun

20 gauge FAIR/NEA Model 500 O/U.
20 gauge FAIR/NEA Model 500 O/U.
20 gauge FAIR/NEA Model 500 O/U.
20 gauge FAIR/NEA Model 500 O/U.
20 gauge FAIR/NEA Model 500 O/U.
20 gauge FAIR/NEA Model 500 O/U.
20 gauge FAIR/NEA Model 500 O/U.
20 gauge FAIR/NEA Model 500 O/U.

 

 

 

Another nice bird gun: a FAIR 702 O/U in 20 gauge…

by Gregg
New England Arms (NEA) FAIR RIzzini 20g 702 O/U Shotgun
New England Arms (NEA) FAIR RIzzini 20g 702 O/U Shotgun

New England Arms in Kittery Point, ME, used to be the finest gunshop in the world. At their peak, the shop usually had a couple hundred used guns on hand — everything from high-grade Lefevers and Parkers shotguns to Boss O/Us and Holland & Holland double rifles. They were also North America’s largest importer of Arrieta shotguns, and they also brought in new doubles by Italian makers Bosis, Bertuzzi, Flli Rizzini, and Fabbri.

Starting in 1999, they also brought in a line of O/Us made by F.A.I.R (Fabrrica Armi Di Isidoro Rizzini). These were solid, well made guns designed by NEA and built on a time-tested Italian triggerplate action. The one below was one of the fancier grades offered. It’s probably a decade old, and it looks to me like a heck of deal.

New England Arms (NEA) FAIR RIzzini 20g 702 O/U Shotgun
New England Arms (NEA) FAIR RIzzini 20g 702 O/U Shotgun

New England Arms (NEA) FAIR 702 20 gauge in the perfect configuration: 28″ over-under barrels are in excellent condition with clean, smooth bores, choked IC/M and bluing in great original condition. The straight English stock is an extremely well figured walnut with strong marbling. The case is blued with inset gold wire engraving scroll and lettering details. This gun only has the expected normal wear – some micros cratches. No gouges, chips, cracks, large scratches, etc. Schnabel forend. I have had this gun for a few years but only been able to shoot it twice. It fits and moves well (LOP is about 14″). Price: $2,200