Manufactured in 1980 to commemorate the 300th anniversary of Beretta, Gardone, Italy, this nice double percussion shotgun is used with some marks on the buttstock. Stocked in European walnut this over/under percussion shotgun is trimmed in color case hardened iron furniture. The beautifully polished over/under barrels are gloss browned, with a factory engraved scroll at the breech end of the upper rib. The front sight is a classic brass bead. The color case hardened back action locks are factory engraved with bank note style foliage and scrolls. Trigger reach is 14-1/4", and the weight is 7.0 pounds.
The 12 gauge bore measure .728" making them ideal for use with our 12 gauge wads and cards. The bores are mostly bright with some frosting near the breech. The barrel exteriors have a high polish with a gloss brown finish. No wedge keys are used to retain the over and under barrels. Instead, two friction fitted steel barrel bands retain the barrels and two separate forend panels, an ingenious and unique design. This design allows quick disassembly for cleaning. Simply withdraw the ramrod, remove the bands with firm thumb pressure, lift off the forend side panels, and lift the muzzle end to dismount the barrels with the hooked breech for easy cleaning. It is not unusual for the brown finish on the barrels to display a few marks from disassembly of the friction fitted barrel bands and this example does have a few marks. Remove the two 1/4-28 nipples, the factory nipples use a musket wrench due to the 1/4" lug, and immerse the breech end in a bucket of hot soapy water. Place a wet cleaning patch on the cleaning rod, fitted with a cleaning jag tip. Push the air out, and draw the water in, as you pump the ramrod the full length of each barrel, a few times. Change the water, and the patch. When the patch comes out clean, you are ready to wipe the bores dry, using a patch wetted with a water displacing oil. Never insert a dry patch. If you used warm water, the warm barrels will dry instantly. Never use highly caustic detergents, which might damage this beautiful milk chocolate brown finish on the barrels.
The straight grip walnut stock is fitted with a color case hardened steel buttplate. The wide buttplate is nearly flat, very comfortable with full loads. The right hand side of the stock has a number of dings and scratches near the heel through the finish. The long tang is color case hardened and decorated with engraved foliage scroll designs. The blued steel tang screw slot aligns with the barrel, a nice touch. The top flat of the barrel is marked 1680 Pietro Beretta Gardone 1980. The triggerguard and trigger plate are both polished, and color case hardened to match the locks. The two barrel bands are color hardened and factory engraved. Always return these to their original orientation and position after cleaning. A small brass inlay is mounted in the center of the forend, engraved to commemorate three centuries of arms production at Beretta. The stock is fine closed grained European walnut, and will give a lifetime of good service. Lugs for your sling and swivels are factory installed on the center ramrod pipe, and above the toe. No sling is included. The original wood ramrod has been replaced by a metal ramrod with a brass loading tip. The ramrod has male 10-32 threads on the end. This rod should be shortened by about 1/8" so it engages the ramrod catch behind the muzzle. A small oval cheekpiece is carved for a right hand shooter.
The back action shotgun locks are color case hardened, factory engraved with foliage and scrolls. Both locks are perfect inside, with strong springs, secure half-cock notches, and full cock notches that release smoothly with normal trigger finger pressure. The breeches are fitted with the factory blued nipples for No. 11 percussion caps. These nipples require our musket nipple wrench #NW-100 to remove.
This Beretta over under shotgun has mostly bright shootable bores. This handy shotgun will be a joy to carry on your next upland bird hunt. Order it for a ten day visual inspection. You will be delighted. Else if it does not fit you, return it in unfired condition for same-day refund. Postage is your only risk, when you order any one-of-a-kind gun from Track, whether new, used, or antique.
