Zanotti | Dogs and Doubles

Some sleepers in session 2 of Guyette and Deeter’s 9/11, 9/12 Fine Sporting Arms auction …

September 9, 2023 by Gregg

Guyette and Deeter, Firearms and decoy auctioneers

Guyette and Deeters’ September Fine Sporting Arms auction starts on Monday. Session two starts the next day, and here are three nice-looking guns that look like they could be sleepers in Tuesday’s sale. Both L.C. Smiths looks like they’re in great, original condition. The first one looks brand new, and it was most likely made as a true pigeon gun. The Zanotti looks like a good, basic boxlock, the kind of SxS that would be perfect for all-around upland hunting.

Lot 334: EXCEPTIONAL HIGH ORIGINAL CONDITION L.C. SMITH GRADE 3E 12 GAUGE LIVE BIRD GUN: SN. 9106. Cal. 12ga. Made with 30″ nitro steel brls, 2-7/8″ chambers, that have matted concave top rib with small brass front bead. Rib extension stamped “HUNTER ARMS CO. FULTON, N.Y.” Extremely fine and the finest of its type this cataloger has examined. Brls retain more than 97% of their original blue. Buttstock and forearm are crisp and sound with scattered light impressions, crisp checkering, and retains more than 97% of their untouched original finish. Receiver and locks with nearly all of their bold original case color just beginning to tone at carry point but still fully visible and superb. Trigger guard with more than 85% of its beautiful glossy original blue. Bores are brilliant and shiny. Mechanics are crisp. Top lever far right of center and breech face shows only the faintest hint of a shell ring indicating the gun has been very lightly used outside of factory test firing. A true reference model. Est. $2,500 – $4,500

Lot 374: FINE FABIO ZANOTTI 12 GAUGE EJECTOR GUN SN. 4534. Cal. 12ga. Made in 1964 w/ith 27-3/4” Bohler brls that have slightly raised matted rib with brass bead. Excellent as field used. Brls with about 95-97% original blue. Buttstock and forearm are sound and retain about 90% original finish. Frame with about half of its original case color. Bores are bright and shiny. Mechanics are fine.

Lot 527: FINE HIGH ORIGINAL CONDITION L.C. SMITH FIELD GRADE 20 GAUGE: SN. 39107. Cal. 20ga. Made with 26″ brls, 2-3/4″ chambers, that have raised matted top rib with small brass front bead. Excellent as very lightly used. Brls with about 95% of their original blue. Most losses from safe dings and handling. Forearm and buttstock are original and sound with scattered light impressions and retain about 95% of their original finish. Case color is bold and vivid with more than 90% original color remaining. Trigger guard with nearly all of its original blue. Bores are bright and shiny. Mechanics are excellent. C&R.

FYI: The accuracy of these listings has not been verified by Dogs and Doubles. All information has been provided by the sellers. Buyers are responsible for verifying the physical condition and all specifications of the listed items. Dogs and Doubles recommends you and a qualified gunsmith physically inspect an item before purchasing.

Good gun alert: a mint 28g Zanotti SxS with 27″ bbls, double triggers…

December 12, 2014December 11, 2014 by Gregg

ZANOTTI - MODEL 625 BOXLOCK GAME GUN: 28 gauge, 27" barrels: — ZANOTTI – MODEL 625 BOXLOCK GAME GUN: 28 gauge, 27″ barrels:

Here’s an impressive little double. This 28 gauge Zanotti is on Gunbroker.com now and the listing ends Monday, 12/14/2014, @ 8:30:00 PM ET.

I think Zanotti is owned by Stefano and Fabio Zanotti. According to this website, the Zanottis have been making complete shotguns since 1625 – longer than Beretta – and the company has been in family hands the entire time. They’ve built guns for lots of famous clients, including an O/U for Fidel Castro and this pair of sidelock 12 gauges for FDR, JR.

ZANOTTI – MODEL 625 BOXLOCK GAME GUN: 28 gauge, 27″ barrels: ALL ORIGINAL ITALIAN SHOTGUN – MASTERFULLY CRAFTED – PRIVATE COLLECTION RELEASE – ZANOTTI – MODEL 625 – BOXLOCK – GAME GUN – SMOKEY MARBLED SELECT EUROPEAN WALNUT STRAIGHT GRIP BUTTSTOCK – MASTERFULLY ENGRAVED – CASE HARDENED – SIDE X SIDE – 27″ CHOPPER LUMP BARREL – CHOKED IC & MOD – 28 GAUGE – 2 ¾” CHAMBERS – 14.5” LENGTH OF PULL – NONE FINER

MAKE: ZANOTTI
MODEL: 625 BOXLOCK GAME GUN
CALIBER: 28 GAUGE
CHOKE: IC & MOD
TYPE: SIDE X SIDE
FINISH: FACTORY ORIGINAL
BARREL LENGTH: 27″ CHOPPER LUMP – NARROW MATTE RIB
CAPACITY: SIDE X SIDE
LENGTH OF PULL: 14.5″
RELEASE: ANSON
CONDITION: AS NEW – FACTORY COMPLETE – AL ORIGINAL
STOCK: HIGHLY SELECT SMOKEY MARBLED EUROPEAN WALNUT
FEATURES: MASTERFUL FIELD ENGRAVING THROUGHOUT
FRONT SIGHTS: SINGLE GOLD BEAD
SYSTEM: SIDE X SIDE
ZANOTTI – MODEL 625 BOXLOCK GAME GUN: 28 gauge, 27″ barrels:
WEIGHT: 5LBS 02OZ
SERIAL NUMBER: 3938
MANUFACTURED: GARDONE. VT. ITALY

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

October 5, 2014 by Gregg

GRIFFIN & HOWE BEST PAIR 2″ Game Guns, 12 gauge: THIS IS THE BEST PAIR OF GUNS WE HAVE HAD .GUN #1 IS SIDEPLATED WITH 17 GOLD INLAYS 25″031 AND 042 2″ CHAMBERS DOUBLE TRIGGER EJECTOR SPLINTER FOREARM ENGISH GRIP CHECKERED BUTT 5LB 5 OZ X 2 1/2 X 1 5/8 X 14 GUN #2 IS A SCALLOPED FRAME WITH 26 GOLD INLAYS AND LOTS OF GOLD WIRE DOUBLE TRIGGER EJECTOR BEAVERTAIL FOREARM ENGLISH GRIP CHECKERED BUTT 5LB 11 OZ X 2 1/4 X 1 1/2 X 14 1/2 BOTH ARE CASED IN A MAKERS OAK AND LEATHER CASE. Price: $49,500

WINCHESTER MOD 21 DELUXE TRAP PRE-WAR- 12- ORIG. in 90% OVERALL COND- 30″ VENT RIB Bbls.- EXC WOOD- EXC BORES: #12999, Winchester Model 21 Deluxe Trap Grade in 12 Bore, Marked Trap, Finished June 19, 1941, 30″ Vent Rib Barrels at .735 .035 & .017″ (Full & Mod), 2 3/4″ chambers, Factory marked Full on the Right barrel & factory marked Mod. on the Left barrel, Single selective trigger, Beavertail forend, Straight grip stock at 14 3/8 x 1 1/2 x 2″ over the original 7/8″ pad with the Winchester name, 7 lbs. 14 oz., “TRAP” stamped on the floorplate, Correct trap forend that is 11″ in length, Correct Kidney pattern checkering, Very nice wood with excellent feather crotch and nice color and contrast, Checkered side panels at the head of the stock, The original barrel blue is 95%, The original receiver blue is 96%, The floorplate with 88% blue, The original wood finish is at 88%, The checkering remains at 97%, The bores are excellent plus and virtually look like new. The frame has the correct water table stampings on both the left & right side with all the US patents and Model 21 WRAC stampings which are the early 1940’s. The barrels have the inspection triangle with the #1 inside which dates it to 1941. Here is a super honest M-21 Trap that remains in excellent mechanical condition inside and out with all of its life left. The gun was made for Harper & McIntire Co. and is still correct to this day as delivered by Winchester in 1941 relative the vent rib, grade, barrel length and the stock dimensions. It had a good life and was well kept. Price: $8,350

Zanotti 20ga., Model 625, SxS Shotgun: 28″ chopperlump barrels choked .006/.009, 2-3/4″ chambers, hand-filed game rib, double triggers, automatic ejectors. Scalloped back boxlock action fully engraved in a floral arabesque retains 90% of the original case color hardening. The toplever features a carved hound on the scent, non-automatic safety. Splinter forend, straight hand stock of dark well-figured European walnut measures 1-1/4″ comb, 2″ heel, 14-3/4″ LOP over a full leather pad. The ejectors are as new and the trigger pulls superb. Weighs 5 lbs, 15 oz. Zanotti is purported to be the oldest gunmaker in the world, dating back to the 1600s. This model is the same basic gun manufactured by other prestigious Italian makers at about 3-4 times the cost. 98% blue with some minor handling marks. A lot of gun for the money! Price: $5,750

MERKEL 220 O/U 9.3X74 DOUBLE RIFLE: 25 1/2″ barrels. Claw mounts with Leupold 3×9 scope. Double set triggers. Automatic ejectors. 96%. 15in LOP pad. Excellent bores. Price: $5,650

Parker GHE 12 ga,28″ Parker Special Steel barrels: F/M (.038/.015),weighs 7lbs 9 oz. 14 1/4 ” LOP to Original Dogs Head buttplate. 1 1/2 Frame Serial number 231XXX (1929),Meriden grip cap. Real nice clean Original unmessed with Parker GHE with a good bit of case color and very nicely figured stock.Built in Meriden and again, unmessed with (no pad added,no buggered screws-no opening of chokes) since it left the factory in 1929. Has been hunted and carried but not abused. Shoots great and ejectors work perfectly.Lever is to the right,mirror clean bores no-dents in barrels,only minor detraction is small splinter (just under 1″) line in stock by upper right side of upper tang-pictured.Happy to answer questions over phone or send more pictures if needed. Price: $3395

I love these shotguns: a beautiful pair of 12g Fabio Zanottis…

May 30, 2014 by Gregg

Fabio Zanotti 12 gauge Double Barrel Sidelock Double Barrel Shotguns

Style is something I want to see in a shotgun, especially in Best-quality doubles. I like to see a SxS or an O/U that has a distinct look, one that a maker has developed and made his own. This is one reason why I like Purdeys, Bosses, Hollands, and Woodwards. These makers created their own styles, and from the engraving patterns to the shape of the stocks and the profile of the actions and fences, their guns are distinct in many ways.

The guns you see here are also distinct. They were built in Italy by Fabio Zanotti, and even though they’re Holland & Holland-pattern sidelocks and they show a ton of British influence, they have a look that’s is all their own. Check out the shaping of the actions, the engraving, the lockplates, the bow of the triggerguard, and even the stocks. Very unique, and an indication of just how much attention went into making these fine guns. BTW: here’s a similar pair of 12g Zanotti boxlocks showing the same style. I think these guns are a great deal…

Fabio Zanotti 12g Sidelock SxS: 27 ¾” Mod/Imp Mod. 6lbs., 10oz. 15x 1 ½” x 1 ½” x 2 ¾”. Magnificent matched pair of Fabio Zanotti special ordered highest grade full side locks guns. These guns were made for Franklin Delano Roosevelt son and have on the case in gold ovals FDR Jr. Straight grip, checker butts, splinter forend AE. Mat rib. Whitworth steel barrels, consecutive serial numbers. Gold one and two on each gun. Magnificently engraved with bold scroll Pierced top level hinge front trigger. 50% case color remains on each gun. Near perfect wood and blue, possible old refinish, but extreme high quality work. Outstanding guns, a great opportunity to purchase the very best shotguns that can be made.
6lbs. 10oz. 15 ½” x 1 ½” x 2 ¾” Price: $52,500.00 Pair

Good gun alert: a great looking 20 gauge Zanotti SxS with 28″ bbls…

May 3, 2014May 2, 2014 by Gregg

20 Gauge ZANOTTI MODEL 625 Double Barrel Shotgun, 28" barrels — 20 Gauge ZANOTTI MODEL 625 Double Barrel Shotgun, 28″ barrels

Here’s an impressive double barrel shotgun from a maker I know little about. It’s a 20 gauge Zanotti and looks like it’s in nice shape. I love the color-case hardening, the engraving, and the rounded, scalloped action. It makes this SxS look 50% Italian and 50% Westley Richards.

I think Zanotti is owned by Stefano and Fabio Zanotti. According to this website, they are members of the oldest shotgun-making family in the world. The Zanottis have been making complete shotguns since 1625 – longer than Beretta – and the company has been in family hands the entire time. They’ve built guns for lots of famous clients, including an O/U for Fidel Castro and this pair of sidelock 12 gauges for FDR, JR.

ZANOTTI MODEL 625 20GA: SIDE BY SIDE DOUBLE WITH 28″ BARRELS , 3″ CHAMBERS, FINE CHECKERED WALNUT STOCK AND FOREND AND FINE ENGRAVING ON OIL CASE COLORED RECEIVER. 95% EXCELLENT FACTORY FINISH WITH ONLY SLIGHT HANDLING and LEATHER RECOIL PAD. 14 3/4″ LOP TO FRONT AND 13 3/4″ LOP TO REAR TRIGGER. BARRELS ARE MARKED “ZANOTTI GARDONE ITALY” AND “NEW ENGLAND ARMS KITTERY POINT MAINE”. Price: $3,250