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Bertuzzi Venere d'Oro 20ga SLE built 1988, Angelo Zanelli engraved, 99% cased
Guns International #: 103505397 Seller's Inventory #: 26-057
Category: Bertuzzi Shotguns - Shotguns - Italian Double
Seller's Information
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Seller: rcrwin70
Member Since: 9/26/07
First Name: Roger
State: Hawaii
Country: United States
Platinum Seller
Number of Active Listings: 15
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 wire transfer
Description:
SOLD ** Bertuzzi Venere d’Oro, Sidelock Ejector, Angelo Zanelli engraved, Best Gun 20 Ga., 27” chopper lump Bls., 99% New and RARE.
This gun is featured with a 35-minute video at rogerrule, on YouTube, “Special Guns with Roger Rule,” Episode 25.
F.lli Bertuzzi, via Madonnina, 25063 Gardone, Val Trompia, Italy. The Venere d’Oro is a seven-pin double seared sidelock ejector side-by-side engraved by the Italian Master Engraver Angelo Zanelli with gold inlays, 20 ga., 2 ¾” chambers, and well-struck chopper lump barrels with hand-filed concave game rib choked Imp.Cyl/Modified (.006/.013).
It has a bright coin-finished action, single trigger, auto ejectors, and top lever checkered for either hand. The lock up is unusual for a H&H sidelock clone. It has a Purdey’s double underlug system but with a third fastener in the breech face using the ejectors as a third lock (similar to a Purdey triple bolt). Other action features: non-auto safety, H&H Southgate automatic ejectors, bushed strikers (removable striker disks) with engraved locking screws, gas escape valves and beaded fences with sideclips… all completing this masterpiece by F.lli Bertuzzi. These are features generally found on Boss's, Purdey's and Holland & Holland Royal grade guns which new cost between 100K and 200K!
This is one of the rarest Bertuzzi models by the master gunmaker with beautiful gold-inlayed Bulino engraving scenes: On the left side is a gold pointer having just flushed a gold quail and a gold ruff grouse. On the right side are three more gold partridges in flight. Observe the intricate detail of the surrounding scenes. It is signed by the master engraver, on the bottom metal left side of the trigger guard, A. Zanelli Inc.
The stock is made of Carpathian walnut from Turkey (a high quality English walnut); the English straight-hand grip with teardrops is beautifully figured of rich amber color with black marbled ribbons trailing towards the toe which match in color and figure with its splinter forend. Wood-to-metal fit is perfect. It is finished with a French polish, a hand-rubbed oil finish that takes many coats.
The hand checkering is generous coming together on the forearm in a design of two diamond fields surrounding the famous F.lli Bertuzzi crest inlayed in gold with traditional point patterns on the stock. These are executed perfectly with 32 lpi diamonds with single borders. The flawless hand checkering surrounds the coin-finished inlaid trigger guard tang that ends with an inlaid point which is a testament to the maestro’s stock making craft.
The checkered butt has engraved heel and toe plates at 14 ½” LOP, with drop of 1 3/8” at comb and 2 3/8” at heel.
Inscriptons: On the left barrel, “ARMI F.LL BERTUZZI GARDONE V.T. ITALY” with the maker’s name in gold. In the forearm crest, with very small inscription, the maker’s name is repeated, “Armi F.lliBertuzzi”. On the barrels flat is AT for 1988.
This special order 20 bore has every option in the book. Retaining 99.9% of the original finish and weighing only 5 lbs. 15 oz., with wonderful balance, it’s just a treasure to behold and a delight to carry.
Includes maker’s leather trunk case with accessories.
Price: $32,450.00 SOLD
Seller is the author of The Rifleman’s Rifle (Winchester pre-64 Model 70s), is liquidating his collection 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, buyer contributes $100 shipping to buyer’s FFL, payment by MO, certified check, wire transfer or personal check with wait for validation. For questions, call (808) 989-1863 Hawaii time zone, and ask for Roger. Installment Plans or Serious Offers considered.
About the maker:
F.lli Bertuzzi, via Madonnina, 25063 Gardone, Val Trompe, Italy. From 1886 to 2009.
From the book, The Italian Gun, by Steve Smith and Laurie Morrow,
“The Bertuzzi Brothers, the Ferrari of Italian Guns, are purely guild gun makers in the most conventional terms. What is a guild gunmaker? Many consider the term antiquated, but it is very much alive and well – not just in Italy, but in England where distinguished firms such as Purdey and Holland & Holland always were, and still are, guild gunmakers.
They (Bertuzzi Brothers) are craftsmen who practice the high art of fine gunmaking by hand, in the precise manner of their father, his father, and his father before him. Two pairs of hands are the principal tools at F.lli Bertuzzi. The most advanced machinery the brothers use are drill presses and lathes: there are no numerically controlled, computerized NC or CNC machines. The Bertuzzis rely soley upon their eyes for precision fitting, their hands for masterly finishing, and their traditions for the integrity to do it.”
This Bertuzzi Venere d’Oro, built in 1988, is a fine example of this period F.lli Bertuzzi gunmaking.
Today, F.lli Bertuzzi still operates. From their own : “About Us”
“The Bertuzzis have got a long tradition in the manufacturing of shotguns. It was the late 19th Century when our forefather Felice Bortolo taught the art of damask to his son, Felice Jr. Felice Jr. then became an expert manufacturer of damask barrels, unique for having different weavings on the same barrel. In the early 20th Century he manufactured a mono-barrel shotgun using the damask method. This masterpiece is today part of our private collection.
Felice Jr’s son, Nicola (1947-1969) was himself a master shotguns maker. During his 20 years career he produced several models, still existing all over the world.
Right after, it was the turn of Nicola’s sons, Elio and Remigio, who founded the Brothers Bertuzzi, “F.lli Bertuzzi” company. For more than 40 years they dedicated all their passion and great experience in developing and manufacturing innovating models, such as over-and-under hammerless with lump fitting Boss Type or the famous side-by-side / over-and-under “Ali Gabbiano” (Gullwing) and even miniature (scale 1:3).
Recently, some nostalgia for our job and our passion led us to transmit the activity to the new generation of our family to propose again, under our expert guide, our high quality hand-made products to the customers, allowing our proud tradition to live on.”
Paolo Bertuzzi continues to claim the company’s reputation as, “The Ferrari of Italian Guns.” Every new gun made by F.lli Bertuzzi today still lives up to that.
About the engraver: Angelo Zanelli is the great grandson of the famous Italian sculptor with the same name, Angelo Zanelli (1879 to 1942) who was the creator of many famous Italian works: Statue of the Republic, Statue of Goddess Rome, Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at the Monument Nationale a Vittorio Emanuele II, and the famous Italian Monument to the Victims of WWI. With that bloodline, the great grandson, our engraver here (both born in Brescia), studied at the Bottega Incisioni Cesare Giovanelli where he graduated, reached Master Engraver working for Beretta Studio, and eventually worked independently for Abbiatico & Salvinelli (FAMARS), V.Bernardelli (custom house) and F.lli Bertuzzi among others. He became highly sought-after for his work in gold and several of his guns are featured in Beretta’s Museum.
Price: $32,450.00