doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion DoubleGun BBS @ doublegunshop.com Fabarm Classic Lion Grade II

I just bought one of these and I'm finding little info about them. If anyone has a product description or a scan of an ad I'd be much appreciative. They seem to compare to the Beretta Silver Hawk. What say we? Is this true? What might the correct price on one be in 99% condition/ with hard case. Jones'ing for info here in the Twin Cities.

I had one - nice gun. They sell used for around 1000$ in my neck of the woods. Paul

Hello, well you got yourself a good gun! A very underrated gun IMO. I owned a Grade I and as you know the Grade II is the same gun only with engraved sideplates. Personally, I think the Fabarm has a stronger action than the Beretta. The problem is most you find on the net are ones with 26" bbls, but the 28" are around if you look long enough. The other down side is you won't be able to find any after market choke tubes for them (Briley will make them for you). As far as function goes, I never had a problem with the ejectors or the SST.

These guns are heavy IMO for the gauge (most over 7lbs), but they make good duck guns.

I also had (now my sons) a Beta Classis. Same gun, only a round body more or less, a bit more sleek and a tad bit lighter. These are nice guns.

As to price, most are going in the 1k to 1.5k (sometimes less )

Anyway, best of luck with your new gun and I wish you many long and happy years in good health shooting her.

Greg

Thanks for the info. I'm grateful for any scrap I can get. It so happens I read an article about these when they first came out. Wish I had that in front of me now.

I was wondering about the choke tubes. Luckily, mine came with eight, including two Briley Extended tubes.

Mine happens to have the 26" barrels. I'm hoping it will work well for informal clays. Me and my foot-thrower at the cabin.

I have friend who has one, he restocked it in super wood, longer BBLs, seems to be a fine gun..His waterfowler..

Hello, you can find a review of the Classic Lion in the May 2000 issue of the Shooting Sportsman Magazine. You can buy back issues or perhaps someone can copy it for you. The review is on the Classic Lion I, but it's the same gun as the Classic Lion II (only no sideplates).

http://www.shootingsportsman.com/magazine/2000/may

Good Luck!

Greg

Heckler & Koch marketed them for a while. I had a Fabarms like you're talking about, I think. Side panel boxlock. The wood is enhanced, which you can find referenced in the sales literature, scant as it is. I think it's painted on, not like Browning wood, which is photocopied on in some way I don't understand.

It's a fine handling gun. I saw glowing reviews from England on the gun.

Thanks a million. I'm going to follow-up on the article. I actually read one about it years ago. And, I remember a few fragments. -Never figured I'd own one.-

The Lion Grade II seems to handle better every time I pick it up. I guess I expect good handling when I pick up an Italian shotgun.