Beretta shotgun with hammers?
I would like to thank all who helped me last time with my .243 questions. I was going to shoot this weekend but it WILL NOT STOP RAINING!!!!! Maybe tomorrow....
A current client of mine has offered to trade me a Beretta 12ga. side-by-side shotgun for some staircase work. He said he purchased it in 1965 and has never fired it. I believe he has never fired it because he still had the shot-shells he bought with it when he purchased the gun-the shells are brown! From the condition it is in, I am more than sure it was not purchased new. It has a several scratches in the stock and a few minor blemishes on the barrels. The one thing that really stood out to me is that while the gun has the above mentioned issues, uppon looking down the barrels, there is not a scatch in either barrel, they are smooth and almost mirror-shiny as if it were new.
This could be the most externally "abused" shotgun that has never been fired or?????????
I spent several hours searching for pictures of this on-line but found nothing even close to this gun. It has shorter barrels than my Mossburg 500 but longer than my New England 20ga. The Beretta has some neat scroll work and dual triggers but also has dual hammers that strike down on what I can only describe as "nibs" that jut out from the rear of the gun.
I searched all over for numbers or a name and could find nothing other than a manufacturer label on the underside and barrels. Anyone know what model this is? and if so, what would the value be on an item like this? I wish I took some pictures-sorry.
A current client of mine has offered to trade me a Beretta 12ga. side-by-side shotgun for some staircase work. He said he purchased it in 1965 and has never fired it. I believe he has never fired it because he still had the shot-shells he bought with it when he purchased the gun-the shells are brown! From the condition it is in, I am more than sure it was not purchased new. It has a several scratches in the stock and a few minor blemishes on the barrels. The one thing that really stood out to me is that while the gun has the above mentioned issues, uppon looking down the barrels, there is not a scatch in either barrel, they are smooth and almost mirror-shiny as if it were new.
This could be the most externally "abused" shotgun that has never been fired or?????????
I spent several hours searching for pictures of this on-line but found nothing even close to this gun. It has shorter barrels than my Mossburg 500 but longer than my New England 20ga. The Beretta has some neat scroll work and dual triggers but also has dual hammers that strike down on what I can only describe as "nibs" that jut out from the rear of the gun.
I searched all over for numbers or a name and could find nothing other than a manufacturer label on the underside and barrels. Anyone know what model this is? and if so, what would the value be on an item like this? I wish I took some pictures-sorry.
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Sounds like a Beretta in the 400 series. From the old catalog in the thread at
http://www.doublegunshop.com/forums/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=5042&page=all&PHPSESSID=917bfe9791ae4229de6172d7d6ab57c4
it looks like the only difference between 401, 403, and 404 is the amount of engraving.
It would be easy for a well used shotgun showing external wear to have shiny bores. All it takes is cleaning after use.
It is probably a very nice gun and worth a fair amount of staircase work. But it might be slow to move if you planned on selling it.
Oh, by the way, most of us call those "nibs" the hammers whack "firing pins."
Sorry, I can't help much on the dollar value of such a gun. There aren't enough in circulation to even show up in the Blue Book of Gun Values. Hammerless guns from the same period, 1934-1964 shows everywhere from $385 to $2000 depending on model and condition. The high prices are for the very fancy guns in like new condition, so be careful about this used one.
Beretta made those shotguns for about 40 years until the demand for exposed hammers faded away, so I would bet a standard model of a major name brand like that would be of good quality.
Thanks for the feedback. So many times there is a question and an answer but no reply back to let us know how things turn out. It will be interesting to see the little gun fixed up.0 -
Thanks for the information. Firing pins would be the most logical thing to call them, in my excitement over this weapon I could not find the words to describe something I have never seen. A nice double barrel shotgun has almost always been out of my price range but I think even in the condition the wood is in, It is worth the work in trade. Are these models not desireable or do they have any flaws I should be aware of?
I am very unfamiliar with Beretta's and have never seen this type of set-up before. I do staircases and woodworking for a living so.....we'll see. It a great trade for me because I get to do the work I love in trade for the hobby I love. Would $1500.00-$2000.00 be a ballpark for negatiating? He has no clue what its worth now but I have no intention of ripping him off either.0 -
quote:Originally posted by Lostlighthouse
Thanks for the information. Firing pins would be the most logical thing to call them, in my excitement over this weapon I could not find the words to describe something I have never seen. A nice double barrel shotgun has almost always been out of my price range but I think even in the condition the wood is in, It is worth the work in trade. Are these models not desireable or do they have any flaws I should be aware of?
I am very unfamiliar with Beretta's and have never seen this type of set-up before. I do staircases and woodworking for a living so.....we'll see. It a great trade for me because I get to do the work I love in trade for the hobby I love. Would $1500.00-$2000.00 be a ballpark for negatiating? He has no clue what its worth now but I have no intention of ripping him off either.
Considering it's cosmetic condition and external hammers which are a turn-off to most modern shotgunners, except the SASS guys. Definitely don't see it being worth that kind of money. Even being a uncommon Beretta model. Cosmetics are a very big thing to collectors of name brand shotguns. My WAG per your description if you want to keep it for yourself, figure in the $300-$500 range.0 -
I have owned lots of double barrel shotguns in various conditions, old and new, and have never paid more than $225.00 for any one of them. If you trade it for work, get it as cheap as possible. 0 -
Rufe -snow has the correct price range unless this is also a sidelock model then it would be worth more, as it could be refurbished . They still like hammer guns in Europe but not very much interest here. Beretta guns are good quality the SO models bring good money. Pictures would tell us a lot. 0 -
Thanks for the info. I have made an arrangement for $400.00 and will simply keep it. I can restore the wood areas and take it over to State line gun shop (Mason, NH.) for the minor clean-up on the rest. I think this gun will be a nice one to hand down to my children someday. I will post before and after pictures when it is ready.
Thanks again to everyone.0
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