doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion DoubleGun BBS @ doublegunshop.com Opinions sought: Bernadelli Gamecock

I'm on the bubble. Anybody have an opinion on a Bernadelli Gamecock, imported by Stoeger? Does anyone know the years Stoeger was the importer? It's a 12 gauge, straight grip. VG condition with decent (though unspectacular) wood. Very nice checkering though. $650, which ain't a lot in the world of SxS pieces but represents significant coin for me. Were these decent guns?

Oh, I forgot to mention it's a boxlock, case-hardened color. Very tight and new-gun like with just a few marks on the wood. Dealer says it's choked M/F but I've got my doubts. Tubes are 25-ish inches and printed info I consulted suggest it was only available IMP/MOD in 12 gauge in that barrel length. I've got the fever and am hoping someone can square me away about whether these are solid guns for the money or not and put me out of my misery one way or another. I always get great advice here.--Pete

I had a 20ga. that is just about what you describe. Plain wood but a good servicable double.
I sold it because it was to light for my tastes but the guy I sold it to is using it every year for doves.

Hope this helpes.

Regards, Gordon

In 1972 it sold in Italy for 141,000 Lira, about $235 at the time. They are decent guns. At $650 it is a bargain if the condition is very good or better. As far as choke, they were available in a wider range than imp/mod at least in Italy.

Peter

I have one in 20 gauge. I've had it since 1977 and shoot it regularly. I paid $300 (how times have changed!).

They are lovely little guns but light and whippy. I find I shoot mine better if I run my left hand out a couple of inches farther toward the muzzle than most sxs I shoot.

For years, this was the only shotgun I owned and it shot skeet, doves, slugs (not very well) and everything else I used a shotgun for. It's still the gun I did best in a dove field with (11 birds in 13 shots), although in an attempt at honesty, I do have to mention that my particular location on that day resulted in the birds presenting like a station 1 high house bird in skeet.

For that money, you can't go wrong, given the condition you describe. The Vincenzo Bernardellis were very good guns for the money and are today.

I bought a 28 ga. hammer gun. It cost a little more than what you are asking about but it is very nicely engraved, made in 1928 and I shoot it very well. It is a little light so you do have to slow down your swing. For the money, I have no problems with this gun. At $650, I would buy it. That is a little cheap for that gun. Frank