Here’s one of the holy grails of grouse and quail guns. It’s a 20 gauge Beretta ASE, and what makes it so very special are the 28″ barrels and proper double triggers (most have 26 1/2″ bbls and single triggers). While it’s priced on the strong side, it just might be worth it. The 28″-bbls & double triggers configuration is just that hard to find.
Beretta introduced the ASEs in 1949 as lightweight hunting guns, and the company made them into the 1960s (the current ASEs are heavier, target guns, and not as nice). Early ASEs shotguns came in 2 gauges (12g and 20g) and 3 grades (ASE, ASEL, and ASEELL). I’ve been told that they were all made in Beretta S- and then SO -shop, the place where the company made it’s sidelock OUs. I’ve read that the ASEs used many of same features and parts as well, along with a great deal hand fitting. That made these guns very quality — probably among the highest-quality boxlock OUs every built in Italy.
BERETTA AS20E O/U 20 GAUGE: 28″ VENT RIB MOD AND FULL 2 3/4 DOUBLE TRIGGER EJECTORS FIELD FOREARM PISTOL GRIP EXCELLENT CONDITION 5LBS 10 OZ X 2″ X 1 1/2″ X 14 5/8″. Price: $4,950
