doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion DoubleGun BBS @ doublegunshop.com Beretta 403 Hammer Gun?

Some while back an interesting thread discussed Beretta hammer shotguns mentioning models 401, 402 but not the 403 which is what I think I just bought on a whim. Included in that thread were excellent line (assembly) drawings of those models. Could anyone help me find anything pertaining to the sxs hammer guns made around 1949 including what I am told is a 403?

With best regards,

FM

I looked at that gun hard a couple of times but showed "restraint".
You bought a vey nice looking gun.

Can't help with the model, but Beretta hammerguns don't show up very often--at least not on this side of the Atlantic. Sounds like you captured a fairly rare gun.

You really need to post some pictures of this gun. The condition and the engraving will determine the model and the price.

I hate to disagree with Larry, but they are not that rare. Most were made as hunters. By this time frame, Beretta was devoting their better efforts to competition guns. Many were treated rather roughly. I own a Beretta 20ga hammer from about the same era. There is not much of a collector market.

Having said all the above, it is still a Beretta.

Pete

Maybe the rareness depends on where you are, Pete--but I can only remember having seen one Beretta hammergun. It was from the 30's, I believe. Contrasting to Bernardellis, of which I've seen far more. And talking hammerless, I've seen way more Berettas than Bernies. But the hammergun imbalance may be because Bernardelli kept sending hammerguns Stateside pretty much right up until they went out of business. Neither my Blue Book nor my Gun Traders Guide even list any Beretta hammerguns.

I do appreciate these replies -- pictures to come once this old girl is delivered. I may post one of the seller's pictures but they mostly were victim of camera flash and focus fuzziness. The model closest by catalogue description and line drawings is Modello 403 Stella. I like the fact it seems to have about 29 inch barrels, I like 30 inch best for swing balance. This one is said to lock up tight and looks pretty good (in fuzzy pictures...) for a 1949 gun.

Sidelock hammerguns sure are a slice of different and beyond the Elmer Fudd look, I think they have an unusual appeal. We shall see...

Cheers,

FM

http://i305.photobucket.com/albums/nn220/rthook21/IMGP3383.jpg

http://i305.photobucket.com/albums/nn220/rthook21/IMGP3386.jpg

See if you can track down a copy of "The World of Beretta", by
R.L. Wilson, Random House, NY, 2000.

There is some information within on the 403 Stella.

Apparantly the "Stella" first showed up as the Model 3 Tipo Stella c. 1926, by 1934 it became the Model 103 and post WWII, or at least by 1947, it was known as the Model 403 Stella and
carried in the Beretta catalogues until 1958. It was originally available in 12, 16, 20, 24, 28 and 32 gauge through 1950,but by 1950 was 12, 16, 20 & 28 ga. only and by 1956 in just 12 and 16 ga. A reasonably high-grade hammer field gun with "Special alloy steel - Titania" barrels.

Beretta apparently did not specifically list "competiton/target" guns during this period, other than those devoted to live pigeon shooting. In 1949, the Model 404 Piccione & 405 Piccione Extra hammer guns were available for that sport.

From a 1956 catalog.







Pete