Franchi Imperial Monte Carlo Extra – BEST ENGRAVING, WOOD

Those that enjoy truly fine side x side shotguns are aware that the Brescia gun making region of Italy has produced some of the finest guns in the world as seen in this fine double gun, a S. A. Luigi Franchi Imperial Monte Carlo K2 Extra 12 bore, their top grade ever produced.  Famous in the European live pigeon shoots where large purses were the norm and the finest guns required, one of the winningest shooters in history, Giovani Bodini, used the same Imperial Monte Carlo gun for his entire career.  This gun, sn13146 made in 1955, is a 7-pin sidelock ejector with rolled right edge of the trigger guard, gold inlaid rabbit on the trigger guard bow, removable striker discs, gold wire coat of arms inlaid in the forend wood, beetle back safety, sculpted frame, beaded fences, and profuse 100% coverage of THE MOST AMAZING ENGRAVING WE HAVE WITNESSED IN A LONG TIME…MAYBE EVER!  The engraver that did the work is Francesco Medici, known as the father of Italian high art engraving who mentored the Italian greats Angelo Galeazzi and Firmo Fricassi.  If you zoom in on the engraving, you will see stunning depth of field and 3 dimensional formats.  What looks like traditional background shading is fine English scroll as the background and the engraving is wild vine and mechanical futuristic whimsy that is so different and amazingly executed.  I haven’t seen anything like it to date. If you look closely at the checkering, you will see it is most precise…all the diamonds in a very straight column, the screws are perfect, and the gun is in very high condition. The trigger guard is inscribed “Fucile Spec. Frinchillucci” indicating it was a specially ordered gun for the famous gun shop, Frinchillucci, located in Rome from 1871 and continuing now in modern times. They have a department that specializes in artistic and superior firearms. The gun was built as a lightweight game gun, weighing just 6lbs. 14oz. and balanced to perfection dead on the hinge pin with the 28” chopper lump Boehler Antinit Steel barrels that still have perfect mirror bores and factory 2 ¾” chambers.  The hand-filed concave game rib is tight, the barrels are tight on the hinge pin and breech face like a new gun, and the blue stands at 99%.  The action has been stripped, Ultrasonic cleaned, all parts inspected for function and integrity, lubricated and reassembled, making this a VFI CERTIFIED GUN WITH A 90 DAY MECHANICAL WARRANTY.  The mechanics, screws, and wood-to-metal fit are all superb.  The triggers are crisp, and the front trigger is articulated as you would expect on a BEST GUN. The ejectors are strong and timed.  The gun is stocked with highly figured French walnut, with clearly defined drop points, a diamond shaped wrist, no cracks, retains 99% hand-rubbed oil finish, and the checkering is factory original and perfect as can be, including the checkered butt.  This gun has not seen much use in the last 69 years.  Perfect for your upland pursuits, it is difficult to find a 6lb. 14oz. 12ga. gun that balances so perfectly and is such a pleasure to carry long distances over hill and dale.  The gun would serve equally well on your vintage side x side shoots as well.  Beretta now owns Franchi, and you can still order an Imperial Monte Carlo from their custom shop with prices starting at $145,000!  This one is priced at a fraction of the new price and well below the market value, so don’t hesitate or she will be gone!  See the specifications below and keep in mind our full-time double gunsmiths can make alterations to suit your needs with no wait time.  Thanks for looking.

Engraving:   deep vine/ribbon by Medici; shaded background; full cover
Trigger Type:   double-crisp; articulated front
Trigger Guard Color:   99%; full engraved;  rolled right edge; gold rabbit with target