doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion DoubleGun BBS @ doublegunshop.com Custom Italian 16ga Shotgun

Any information on a custom Italian made 16ga shotgun made in the mid-fifties. Sidelock action, single trigger non-selective 26" barrels appear to be choked IC & Modified. M. Fabbrizioli Figli is marked on underside of receiver. Barrel is marked M. Fabbrizioli & Figli Rimini (Italia) on one side and the side marked Boehier Stahl Cromate 444 1955. Extended sideplates with extensive floral engraving. Number 444 appears on trigger guard. Stock and forarm fine line flues engraved. Would say overall condition 92-94%. What kind of value would this gun have??

Are you spelling the names correctly? I can find nothing here for Fabbrizioli, http://www.earmi.it/armi/database/brand_f.htm or here http://www.beretta.it/index.aspx?m=53&did=893

Figli Rimini is literally Sons of Rimini. Rimini is both a town and province in Italy.

Pete

The gun reminds me of the Merkel's that were sold in the white, and finished by various companies.
But I defer to the pro's here.

That gun is so German, it probably says "Achtung!" when you open it.

Beautiful. A sideplated boxlocco?

I don't think there's anything German about that gun at all. The lines are much more slim and trim, and the engraving is much finer than the commonly seen German engraving of that era. That's not to say German engraving can't be cut more finely, it's just not commonly seen on the majority of their guns. I think it's Italian all the way. The bolster under the watertable is slightly reminiscent of Merkels, nothing else is however. And it's a sidelock, not a sideplated boxlock.

Chief I sure believe you on the sidelock ID, but I figured boxlock 'cause the hinge seemed very close to the action, at least in comparison to a Beretta SO3.

Chiefshotgun wrote:

I'm in firm agreement, too slim in all places. Rose and bouquet engraving is all Italian, stock as well.

You guys seem to be backing up CZ's hypothosis......without even realizing it? It seems it has some traits of a German gun, but is finished "just like an Italian". What would you expect of an action in the white being finished elswhere from it's origin?

Just my hunch....I actually never knew they did that, even if this is not one.

Best,
Mark

As the owner of this shotgun I am 100% sure that the making of the gun was in Italy. This gun was passed on to me from my employer and friend of thirty years as a gift for dedicated service to him during those years. He was a imigrant Italian and avid sportsman who returned to the old country on a regular basis and in the early years always returned with a new firearm.
Regarding the question of whether the gun is a true sidelock or a boxlock with sideplates the following may clear up question. The smooth round type button shown in the picture on the left side goes indent or exdent depending on whether mechanism is cocked or not cocked.