GUN FALL 2017
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 10/31/2017
EXCEPTIONALLY RARE BERETTA S3EELL OVER UNDER SIDELOCK SINGLE TRIGGER SHOTGUN WITH SUPERB MASTER WORK RELIEF ENGRAVING AND GOLD INLAY BY G. TIMPINI, PAST HEAD OF BERETTA ENGRAVING DEPARTMENT, WITH EXTRA BARRELS AND CASE.P. BERETTAOU S-3EELL3425412CASED 2 BBL SETMODERN; C&R(1968) Cal. 12 ga. 3" Chambers. 26" and 32" Mono-bloc bbls with matted ventilated ribs are gold inlaid "I" and "II" at breech ends. Top bbls are marked "P. BERETTA - MADE IN ITALY" and "BOEHLER * ANTINIT STEEL". Bottom of bbls are stamped with grade, SN, and 1968 Italian nitro proofs for 3" chambers. Coin finished proprietary Beretta OU action features non-automatic safety, gold plated internals, and gold plated single non-selective trigger. Action and lockplates are engraved with full coverage exceptionally well rendered large open flowing acanthus with rose and other floral highlights having well stippled background. This truly excellent scroll surrounds vignettes of relief gold inlaid game birds in flight; two pheasant on left side, and a pair of quail (?) on right. A calling auerhahn is on bottom of action. This work is by Giulio Timpini who became head of the Beretta engraving department in 1970, two years after this gun was finished. He continued in that position for another 40 or so years. Bottom of action is engraved "BREVETTATO" "MADE IN ITALY" "P. BERETTA * GARDONE VT". Blued top lever with thumbpiece pierced in floral motif is gold inlaid with a crown. Blued trigger guard with matching scroll on bow has SN on tang. Well marbled European walnut straight grip buttstock measures 14-1/8" over brown Old English pad. Closely spaced borderless checkering in fancy pattern is at grip. Vacant gold oval is on toe line. Matching slim forend with finger grooves has Deeley type release, and engine turned iron. Gun "I": Bore diameter: top -.722, bottom - .727. Bore restrictions: top - .009 (IC), bottom - .005 (IC). Wall thickness: top - .042, bottom - .042. Drop at heel: 2-3/16", drop at comb: 1-7/16". Cast 1/4" off. Weight: 7 lbs. 14 oz. LOP: 14-1/8". Gun "II": Bore diameter: top -.728, bottom - .721. Bore restrictions: top - .039 (extra full), bottom - .033 (full). Wall thickness: top - .032, bottom - .038. Drop at heel: 2-1/16", drop at comb: 1-7/16". Weight: 8 lbs. 0 oz. LOP: 14-1/8". Nicely made dark brown leather and mahogany case with brass corners and central brass rectangle is lined in green velvet, and has partitions for gun and both sets of bbls. Case contains Daniel Fraser and Co silver-plated oil bottle, pair of snap caps, and orig proof certificates and other paperwork for this gun. CONDITION: Excellent, close to new, with only a few very light handling and assembly marks in all wood and metal finishes, with perhaps a hint of silvering on thumbpiece and trigger guard tang, and some scattered very light handling marks. Pad is a newer replacement. Bores are excellent. Mechanically excellent. Case leather is very fine to excellent with only a few light marks. Interior cloth is fine with some compressions. Action retaining strap is broken and loose. A superb, nearly 50 year old, Beretta with truly exceptional and unusual embellishment. 51872-71 MGM54 (15,000-25,000)