doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion DoubleGun BBS @ doublegunshop.com Beretta 409PB

Gentlemen:
Passed on a 12 bore Beretta 409PB bore at a gun show this past weekend. It was offered at $700. The barrels showed considerable blue wear and the stock was amateurishly varnished in a high gloss finish that filled in the checkering. Had sling swivels (which are fine with me as a Sauer afficianado) and original butt plate. Seemed tight, but plastic tie lock precluded detailed inspection. I didn't ask to have it removed since I didn't know if it was priced right. How does quality compare to early post war (1950 era) Sauers for example? Should I kick myself or congratulate myself for not diving into a problem child? Thanks for your advice.

Jorge

A bit lighter then your avg. Sauer and less fugly for sure, but I would not be over passing on that one. There are many solid "unmolested" guns on American used gun market.
I passed on minty PB S56E, but minty GM 201e came home with me month later. There is always a better one "around the corner".

Jagermeister,

Thanks for the reply. Fugly? I'm sorry, but I'm not sure what you meant.

I think it was common on earlier Berettas to apply the finish on top of the checkering. Very unclassy, IMO.

The 409's have been going up as more of them come out of the closet. The price is about as expected for an average condition gun. The auction sights have been geting around a $1000 dollars for an unmolested 409 SxS. They were sound old shotguns and with care will be around for the next generation. The interest on 12ga is less than on the small bore 20ga and 16ga. They command twice the blue book prices and don't hang around long. Most of the older SxSs were hard finished. The higher grades had more oil finishes but only on request.
Best,
Ron