doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion DoubleGun BBS @ doublegunshop.com Verona O/Us

What is the quick and dirty on Verona ? I know nothing about them at all, who made them or anything.

Thanks for any first hand info. Looking at a slightly used LX692 Gold Sporting in 28/.410.

SRH

Most, if not all, made by FAIR. Some were very fancy and expensive, some were rather ordinary, built to importer specs. Those who criticize the FAIR guns have probably not looked at the nicer ones. I have some FAIR Cortonas (no Veronas), including a 28 and a .410, and am impressed with the quality for the price, especially compared to my Beretta and B. Riz guns. All the Cortonas were on scaled frames, not sure if this is true of the Veronas. Basil Slaughter in Nevada should have most of the parts you might ever need for just about any FAIR ever imported to the U.S.

Thank you very much, Replacement. Wonder what connection does Isidoro Rizzini (FAIR) have with the Battista Rizzini guns made today, if any ?

This one weighs 6# 4 oz. with the 28 ga. barrel (30") in place and 6# 8 oz. with the .410s.

SRH

Brothers, cousins, something like that. I think there is a thread on SGW discussing the relationships of all the Rizzini companies (four that I remember: BR, FAIR, Emilio R., and F. Illi R.). I don't have any of my guns with me right now, but my recollection is that the visible mechanical aspects of the BR and FAIR are pretty similar. Level of finish is pretty comparable, grade for grade. In 12 gauge, at least, a Rizzini gunsmith tells me that the choke tubes are interchangeable, but I have not yet tried swapping between guns.



If the price is right, you should probably buy it. Easy for me to say, it's your money. I have FAIR Cortonas in .410 and 28, both very pretty and both rather stiff to open, but neither shot much yet. A friend took his Cortona 28 to Argentina for doves, and it is still stiff, but no glitches in Argentina.

Thanks. I really need a 28/410 two barrel set.

SRH

If it helps you decide, another guy I know has three Cortonas and is looking for a fourth. He craves a 16 on their scaled frame. He is a psychiatrist and can buy any gun he wants. He wants another Cortona.

Rizzini history:

http://www.shotgunworld.com/bbs/viewtopic.php?f=113&t=69662

That's a good history of an inter-related and complicated gunmaking family.

To add a bit, Guido Rizzini passed away several years ago. It was my understanding that he was involved in the Zoli-Rizzini project, mentioned in the linked article. Those guns were imported by Abercrombie & Fitch back in the 60's. They were less expensive alternatives as "knockabouts" to the Francottes, which were much pricier by that time.

Cabela's bought up most of the FAIRs when New England Arms went out of business and sold them at significantly discounted prices. Those guns still pop up on the used market every now and then. Usually good buys, IMO.