Looking for info on Beretta S55

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Frankd1

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I just took possession of my Grandfathers Beretta S55 O/U shotgun. He passed away in 1991 and I'm guessing the last time it was fired was probably mid eighties or so...

I don't know much about it so I thought I would turn to CGN to see if I could get any info on it. It is by no means a show piece, he used it to hunt so it does show some wear and tear but considering how much he hunted its not terrible. It does need to be cleaned which I will do thoroughly before I shoot it.

I have included pics for you to have a look at

 
The receiver is aluminum alloy (some receivers were made in South America as well, this one in Italy per the stamp) and the barrels are very likely chambered for 2 3/4in cartridges although I was unable to determine the stamps. Chokes are Full/Mod as per barrel stamps. However, that may no longer stand true if the chokes were opened up somewhere down the road, unlikely but possible. The front trigger is articulated which is a nice touch.

My hunch is the shotgun will be quite light - around 6lbs? Looks like the toe (buttstock) was chipped and "repaired" at some point.

A nice light bird gun if the overall health (wood/barrel condition) checks out fine. High volume shoots (example range use) or use with heavier loads (read 1 1/4oz) may not be pleasant due to the weight.

Application of grease in the proper areas after a thorough cleaning session will be necessary. :)
 
Thanks for the info guys!

It does feel very light in weight and he used it for bird and rabbit. He did his own reloads and I have 2 boxes of his shells - they are 2 3/4.

There is a piece missing from the bottom edge of the stock, but I don't think it was ever repaired...

I do have more questions about this gun as I know very little about it and would like to learn more...

1. How do you determine the date? Is it through the serial number?
2. were these also referred to as BL series guns and silver snipes?
3. How do you tell what the chokes are? Is it the stars stamped on the barrel? Top barrel has 1 star - Full, bottom barrel has 3 stars - Mod?
4. On the bottom barrel, to the right side of the 3 stars there is a number 3 stamped, is this the chamber size?
5. which trigger fires which barrel?
6. I don't think he would have ever had the chokes opened up...is there a way to tell or an obvious sign?
7. I realize that parts may be hard to find but I'm guessing that these were well built. However, are there certain parts that do tend to wear? firing pins, barrel locking pins etc?
8. Any source for an online manual? I went to a Beretta website and while they didn't have a specific manual for the model, there was a general one for their O/U guns...
9. Lead shot only through the barrel?
10. What areas do you oil? I'm guessing for sure the hinge area....

Aside from some dings and scuffs in the wood and some blemishes on the barrel - mainly under the wood forend, the gun looks pretty solid. I will have a closer look down the barrels with a light.
I know its a matter of personal preference in terms of keeping the gun as is or, having it refinished, but would there be any point in having this done? re-bluing the barrels, re-staining the stock etc...This gun has sentimental value so I will be keeping it and using it!
 
Frankd1 said:
Thanks for the info guys!

It does feel very light in weight and he used it for bird and rabbit. He did his own reloads and I have 2 boxes of his shells - they are 2 3/4.

There is a piece missing from the bottom edge of the stock, but I don't think it was ever repaired...

I do have more questions about this gun as I know very little about it and would like to learn more...

1. How do you determine the date? Is it through the serial number? Date code is stamped on the flat along with the other proof marks - XXIII = 1967 Please refer to the following site: http://www.shotgunworld.com/bbs/viewtopic.php?f=57&t=73492
2. were these also referred to as BL series guns and silver snipes? No, different models
3. How do you tell what the chokes are? Is it the stars stamped on the barrel? Top barrel has 1 star - Full, bottom barrel has 3 stars - Mod? True. That was/may still be the original constriction. [/B]
4. On the bottom barrel, to the right side of the 3 stars there is a number 3 stamped, is this the chamber size? Unable to see clearly. But no, chamber length should be stamped someplace - example: 70 (i.e. = 2 3/4inch) .....
5. which trigger fires which barrel? In the case of O/U shotgun with DTs, front trigger for bottom bbl
6. I don't think he would have ever had the chokes opened up...is there a way to tell or an obvious sign? Only way to determine actual constriction is via a choke gauge ..... even factory defaults may somewhat vary when measured despite what is stamped on the barrels.
7. I realize that parts may be hard to find but I'm guessing that these were well built. However, are there certain parts that do tend to wear? firing pins, barrel locking pins etc? Any mechanism is prone to wear. Major causes of premature wear is usually abuse, maintenance neglect. You may wish to have the shotgun inspected by a knowledgeable person or a competent gunsmith.
8. Any source for an online manual? I went to a Beretta website and while they didn't have a specific manual for the model, there was a general one for their O/U guns... Suggest check "ShotgunWorld" forum. Generally speaking, the handling/maintenance procedure will not vary much from current production guns.
9. Lead shot only through the barrel? Yes, and light loads (read 1oz) considering the weight. Condition of the wood (stockhead etc) will need to be considered as well (ensure no hairline cracks etc.) Non-tox shells such as Kent Tungsten Matrix will work fine but those equate to higher $. :)
10. What areas do you oil? I'm guessing for sure the hinge area.... Plenty of videos on YouTube. Suggest MidwayUSA clips by Larry Potter. After cleaning, lightly smear good grease on the friction points/hinge areas example: where barrel mates with the receiver/forend etc. Use light coat of oil or G96 for the rest of metal parts/barrel/bore etc. Do not allow oil to seep into the wood, stockhead etc.

Aside from some dings and scuffs in the wood and some blemishes on the barrel - mainly under the wood forend, the gun looks pretty solid. I will have a closer look down the barrels with a light.
I know its a matter of personal preference in terms of keeping the gun as is or, having it refinished, but would there be any point in having this done? re-bluing the barrels, re-staining the stock etc...This gun has sentimental value so I will be keeping it and using it! I'm afraid end-to-end refinish via a good smith will cost quite a bit. :)
Click to expand...


Hope this helps .......
 
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All of that definitely helps, thank you for answering my questions!

After I get it all cleaned up, I will take it to a gunsmith so they can have a look over..

Thanks again!
 
I see you live in SW Ontario, so do I and I have a bore gauge, so, if you wish to meet (send me a PM), I can tell you what the bores and chokes are in the gun. Once you get the gun checked over mechanically, you can investigate the cost of a re-blue and refinish. Those guns don't have much value to sell, so the cost of the cosmetics are what the gun is worth to you as a piece of your family history. Parts are hard to find, but not impossible. Some may require to be custom made. Most of those parts don't break anyway. Springs are usually the items that you will need and with some effort, they can be sourced.
 
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