Guns International #: 102541963
Seller's Inventory #: 23-041

Category - Hammer Shotguns - Shotguns - Italian Double

Category
Hammer Shotguns
Shotguns - Italian Double

S. Pedretti Best Hammer Sidelock SxS 12 Ga. 28"bls, cased, Master Engraver, Mint

Description:
SOLD  **  S. Pedretti Best Hammer Sidelock SxS 12 Ga. Mint, with incredible Italian Master Bulino Engraving

Description: S. Pedretti, from Gardone, Val Trompe, Italy, a best gun -- hammer sidelock gun in a side by side double, 12 gauge choked Modified (left) and Full (right). Although the gun is in mint condition with no flaws of any kind and looks as it did the day it was made, the most outstanding feature is that it is exceptionally engraved in both the rose and scroll style and the Bulino style.

With 2 ¾” chambers, the 27 3/4” steel extractor barrels feature a level hand-filed rib with a single ivory bead front sight. Featuring classic double triggers with an articulated front trigger, the action locks up using the tried and true Purdey double underlugs. The breech face does not show bushed strikers since this is a hammer gun with external access to replaceable firing pins. It is coin-finished which contrasts richly with the deep blue barrels. The barrels flat is stamped with AF, the Italian code for 1980. 

The right and left sidelocks are engraved in the traditional Purdey rose and scroll with full coverage, beautifully executed, superior to Purdey’s British engravers, as only Italian masters can do. This continues on the top of the receiver, the hammers, the upper and lower tang, the trigger bow, and on the underside of the receiver surrounding a detailed Bulino game scene of a flushing woodcock that is so realistic, it looks like it will fly off the metal. These parts are all coin finished. All screws are engraved and indexed. Two inlaid gold rings circle the breech and the serial number, 7276, is in gold, engraved on the lower tang, just enough touch of gold to see that it is a best gun.

On the top left side of the left barrel, it is inscribed, “S. Pedretti, Gardone, V.T. Italy.” For this 12 gauge shotgun, the maker chose the classic sidelock hammer design mating up his action with the finest barrels that ring with a very pronounced chime.  The fit and finish are best quality.

As to the extra fancy Turkish walnut wood: the forend is the English splinter type with Anson push button forearm release, and buttstock is a straight-hand English grip with checkered butt. It has marblecake figure that is stunningly beautiful in color with the streaks of black and dark reddish brown intertwined. Both pieces of wood look like the came from the same blank. The fine checkering is 32 lpi with single border that looks nearly borderless. It is executed flawlessly. For the stock it is a classic point pattern coming together over the wrist and below the comb with intersecting borders. For the forearm, also a point pattern at the receiver, it is fully checkered to the tip, or nose, and shows a beautiful detail surrounding the forearm release escutcheon. This has every feature of truly a best-made hammer gun. Stock measurements are 14 ½” LOP, 1 ½” DAC, 2 ¼” DAH with 3/8” cast off. Weight of the gun is 7 lb 1 oz.

Condition: For being 40 years old, this gun is still 100% wood, 100% metal, 100% checkering, bores bright and new, comes with original leather case and accessories with canvas protector.

Priced to sell at $ 17,450.00

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 $70 to buyer’s FFL, payment by MO, certified check , wire transfer or personal check with wait for validation. For questions, call Roger (808) 989-1863 Hawaii time or send email.

About the maker: Simone Pedretti grew up in Gardone, Val Trompe, Italy, in the mecca of Italy’s best gunmakers, and some might argue, the world’s best gunmakers. Apprenticed and working in all the disciplines, he opened his own shop as a boutique one-man operation, producing only best bespoke guns, (seven or eight a year) building side-by-sides sidelock ejector shotguns on the Holland & Holland pattern, and keeping to the tradition of building hammer sidelocks such as the gun featured here.

In the 1980s, a combination of events hit Italy at once: the devaluation of the lire, which affected both domestic and international trade, volatile political turmoil, the Vatican bank scandal and a plunge in hunting participation. Simone began building high-end furniture to make ends meet and soon discovered his success in the furniture trade was more lucrative than gunmaking during that period when everyone was closing their doors: Ferlib, Mario Beschi, Euroarms, Luciano Rota, eventually F.lli Bertuzzi and others. It was the time when Renato Gamba changed his business from production to custom-oriented. The big houses like Benelli, Beretta and Perazzi weathered the storm. 

Consequently, for Simone Pedretti as the master gunmaker, very few of his guns were made under the name, S. Pedretti, but all were/are best guns and very rare today… especially in the U.S. The gun featured here made in 1980 and is most likely one of his last guns.

 

SOLD

Barrel Length: 28
Bore: 12
Chambers: 2 3/4
Triggers: 2
LOP: 14 1/2
Manufacture Date: 1980
Engraving: Master Italian Bulino
Minimum Wall Thickness Left: New
Minimum Wall Thickness Right: New