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Abbiatico & Salvinelli (Famars) "Excalibur BL Extra" L.Sabatti engraved, 12 ga. 5 Briley Chokes -- near Mint
Guns International #: 101697932 Seller's Inventory #: 21-016
Category: Famars Abbiatico & Salvinelli Shotguns - Shotguns - Italian
Seller's Information
When emailing or calling sellers direct, please mention that you saw their listing on GunsInternational.com
Seller: rcrwin70
Member Since: 9/26/07
First Name: Roger
State: Hawaii
Country: United States
Platinum Seller
Number of Active Listings: 1
Seller: Private Seller
Return Policy: 3 day inspection and return policy on used guns.
3 days
Payment Types Accepted: cashiers check or money order or pay pal plus 3%
Description:
ABBIATICO & SALVINELLI (FAMARS*) “EXCALIBUR BL EXTRA” 12 ga.
Sporting Clays - 29" Bls.- 2 3/4" 5 factory Briley chokes, L.SABATTI engraved.
If you have a Perazzi and want to upgrade, this is the perfect choice. Also with a removable trigger group, this is a truly handmade Italian shotgun by a “best gun” maker.
Description:
Abbiatico & Salvinelli, (Famars*) Gardone Val Trompia, Brescia Italy: Serial Number F0151, 12 Bore Excalibur “Extra” Sporting Model, finished in 2000 with 29" Vent Rib Monobloc Ejector barrels, .729" (18.5mm) bores with wide file-cut cross-hatched ventilated top rib and ventilated mid rib. The “Extra” grade is an upgrade and accounts for the ornamental engraving, the #4 Turkish walnut, the leather covered recoil pad and the leather presentation case.
29" Barrels are choked with 5 factory Briley thin-set Chokes at Full, Full, IM, Mod, and IC with 2 3/4" chambers.
Action and the metal:
The Excalibur action uses the locking system that mounts the barrels low in the action on stub pins. There are two locking bolts in the breech face that catch the barrel lugs just under the ejectors. On the inside of the receiver, other locking lugs are on the sides, two on each side. This is a state-of-the-art combination of the best engineering of both Boss and Perazzi here in one best-made gun. Features include open forcing cones, a polished removable trigger group, automatic ejectors, a single selective trigger, and a manual safety.
The underside is engraved “Excalibur BL” and shows sidewall engraving of small English scrolls in six areas on each side; seven areas on top of the receiver, the fences and top lever; nine areas on the bottom of the receiver and trigger bow; and border engraving on all separations executed by, and signed by, the famous Italian Master Engraver L. Sabatti. The company name, FAMARS, is inscribed in small font on both sides of the receiver and the upper barrel on the left side is inscribed, FAMARS – ITALY, in script.
I compared the fit and finish of this gun with my Perazzi SC3 and I can honestly say this Excalibur Extra has tighter tolerances; and yet, polished much finer.
Wood:
Just look at the incredible figure of the stock and forearm, made of Turkish Walnut Number 4 -- exceptional character – emblazoned figure with strong colors of contrasting dark streaks. It is designed with a game style forend with finger channels, classic pistol grip stock, and slight cast-off for the right hand. Checkering is hand-checkered at 24 lpi and is generous with five-point wrap-around on the forend, and full coverage panels on the grip, executed perfectly. Measurements are 14 5/8” (over a quality 1” leather-covered recoil pad) x 1 1/2 x 2 1/4 ", Weight, 7 lbs.11 oz.
Accessories: It is cased in its factory fitted leather trunk case. For a long extended life of sporting fun, it includes extra mainsprings and firing pins in a Famars custom case, plus documents housed in a leather pocket which includes Famars’ Certificate showing the serial number and Model name as “Excalibur Extra” with factory salient data. Also included are: a Briley choke case, a Briley wrench, and two nickel snap caps.
According to the Blue Book, “Currently Famars manufactures the following O/U shotguns: Leonardo, Poseidon, Excalibur and Sportivo...” and of the Excalibur, the basic grade is the Excalibur Sporting, and there are three upgrades, the first upgrade, the “Extra,” which is the gun being described here, jumps significantly in price over the basic Sporting model. Again, the Blue Book states, “The Extra Grade is English scroll, with quality #4 wood and a leather case.”
Condition: Although built in 2000, this is nearly new. The silver receiver is engraved in the “Extra” pattern which includes coverage of English scroll, tastefully engraved, and signed by the master engraver, “L. Sabatti.” It retains 100% original barrel blue. The original wood finish is 100%; the checkering is at 100%; the bores are as new and the action remains on face and as tight as new. When the chokes are removed, the barrels ring with a pleasing chime.
*About the Maker: “Famars”is an abbreviation that stands for (Fabricated Arms of Marlo Abbiatico and Remo Salvinelli). Since 1967, Abbiatico & Salvinelli have manufactured some of the world’s finest rifles and shotguns – approximately 100 fabricated annually according to the The Blue Book of Gun Values. The article goes on to state “All A&S Famars shotguns incorporate a patented A&S Famars mechanism and are available in Hunting, Trap, Skeet, Sporting Clays, and Pigeon configurations.”
In their book, Gamefield Classics, published 2008, the authors devote an entire chapter to Abbiatico & Salvinelli entitled, “Incomparable Italian,” and stating, “The genius of gunmakers Abbiatico & Salvinelli can be found in much more than exquisite engraving.”
In that chapter, they write…
”total output is only about sixty guns and rifles each year and that includes the SO9 Berettas that A&S makes under contract for the big company down the street. No wonder that the workshop has a quiet air about it. No one’s in a hurry, certainly not their master engravers, who work in a small side room off the shop.”
In 2012, the factory moved to a new and bigger location, but remain in Gardone, Italy. At the time, their contracts with their previous US distributors were closed and the company set up Famars, USA, located in Richmond, Rhode Island to handle all their US sales. From their new factory, their guns are still hand-made, but they have increased their output which is now more than 100 annually.
When I first heard about A&S Famars, I asked experienced clay target shooters at my club about this maker. The general consensus was that A&S shotguns are a step above Perazzi’s. I don’t know if either of the companies would agree with that, as it seems Perazzi’s do very well in competition. But, what I learned is, if you want a competition gun with a little finer fit, with more handwork and attention to detail, then the Excalibur fills that bill.
When I asked a custom gunmaker what he thought of them, his answer was, “Just compare the drop-out trigger mechanism from a Perazzi with one from an Excalibur, and you will be amazed at how much more polishing (hand-polishing) has been done to the Excalibur.”
This model is offered new today at basic price of $32,000 for the basic Sporting Excalibur with little figure and no engraving. For their “Extra” it increases to $37,500 which includes Quality 4 Fancy wood and 40% English scroll engraving…
Although this gun is in near-new condition with all the bells and whistles, it is priced here to sell at 40% of the cost of a new one -- $14,750...a very fair deal.
Price: $ 18,750.00
Seller is the author of The Rifleman’s Rifle (Winchester pre-64 Model 70s) and will furnish a Letter of Provenance that this gun is from his collection. Please check out author’s feedback on ebay under rcrwin70roger. 3-day non-firing inspection for full refund, shipping is $75 to buyer’s FFL, payment by MO, certified check , wire transfer or personal check on hold for validation.
For questions, call (808) 989-1863 and ask for Roger.
SOLD
Manufacturer: FAMARS
Model: Excalibur
Barrel Length: 29
Bore: 12
Ejectors: yes
Triggers: Removable trigger group
Butt Pad: Leather-covered
LOP: 14 5/8
Rib: ventilated
Chokes: Briley concealed chokes
Engraving: "Extra
Case: Leather Manufacturers