Help identifying F.A.I.R. shotgun - picture warning

[stickhunter]

Hi all,

I'm not at all well-acquainted with over-under shotguns, but I'm a sucker for nice wood and, especially, English straight stocks. I decided to pick up this F.A.I.R. Diana OU on a whim, but have had trouble tracking down any more information about it. It is chambered in 12 gauge, 3" magnum with 26" vent-rib barrels, mid-bead, fixed chokes, single set trigger, and ejectors. The weight is right on 6lbs 11oz.

I've tried to post some detailed pictures of the markings. Can any of the barrel markings be used to determine the choke (my suspicion from the two single stars is that it may be full-and-full)?

I've had no luck finding information on the "Diana" model, so if anyone had a reference to further information, I'd love to read up on it. I suspect with the fixed chokes that it's an older model, but have no idea of age... any ideas?

 

[Londonshooter]

I believe 2 stars in Italian system is improved mod. 18.4 mm though is 0.724" and that lists as between improved cylinder and skeet. Without knowing the nominal bore before choke its hard to know actual restriction but appears to have fairly open chokes. No, I don't think you overpaid. One barrel is under the other though which is a little weird. (haha!)

Edit: reply above contains error corrected further down by Saskbooknut.
These true words from Pulp Fiction apply - "if you make an assumption, you make an ass out of you and umption"

 

[Bland]

Did not overpay if the gun fits and you like it. Try to buy something at that quality level for full retail and see the final price. Good score.

 

[Aniest]

I've tried to post some detailed pictures of the markings. Can any of the barrel markings be used to determine the choke (my suspicion from the two single stars is that it may be full-and-full)?

One star per barrel would indeed be "Full" on each barrel. Good job getting that nice shotgun!

 

[saskbooknut]

The star on each barrel indicates standard proof level, not the choking, I believe.
18.4 mm is the nominal bore diameter, also has nothing to do with choke.
Chambered for 3 inch shells - CAM 76 mm. Weight of barrels 1.290 Kg. at proof.
Looking at the indicated quality, I think the price was a steal. I like it. A lovely nice lightweight 12 gauge. Magnum cartridges will hurt, though.
A micrometer caliper would confirm actual choke in an instant.

 

[Claybuster]

The star on each barrel indicates standard proof level, not the choking, I believe.
18.4 mm is the nominal bore diameter, also has nothing to do with choke.
Chambered for 3 inch shells - CAM 76 mm. Weight of barrels 1.290 Kg. at proof.

This is correct. There should also be other numbers on the barrels indicating the choke constriction and a date mark for the year it was made.

 

[Shibby!]

Excellent price. Good buy. A little less desireable with the shorter barrels and fixed chokes, but still a well made and beautiful gun.

I had a FAIR once. I liked it!

 

[dutchhunter]

Sweet little gun.

 

[Winchested]

Love it, beautiful wood and a nice english stock.

 

[saskbooknut]

For choke markings - look for stars, dots, or zeros - one being full, two - improved modified, three modified, and four improved cylinder. CL indicates cylinder.
The date code will be a two letter sequence. Refer here: www.shotguns.se/html/italy.html

 

[stickhunter]

For choke markings - look for stars, dots, or zeros - one being full, two - improved modified, three modified, and four improved cylinder. CL indicates cylinder.
The date code will be a two letter sequence. Refer here: www.shotguns.se/html/italy.html

Thanks so much for the pointers everyone!

Here's what I found on the bottom of the block:

1) the serial number followed by what looks like a stylized FR

and below that

2) one star over crossed lightning bolts

and to the right

3) (two stars) over PSF

and to the right

4) one star over FINITO

and lastly to the right

5) BC in a box

So this looks to be a 1993 shotgun proofed safe for SAAMI loads, correct?

Here's a picture of the bottom of the block:

I still don't see any additional markings on the barrel. Each barrel has a one star over a shield that has a moth-looking emblem inside. I'm still guessing that this is full-and-full, but will try to take some rough measurements with a caliper (don't know if that'll be accurate enough).

 

[saskbooknut]

Your gun is a 1993 production proofed to Reinforced Proof standards, as is mandatory for magnum chambered firearms in the European Union.
CIP standards are not the same as SAAMI standards, but you can be confident that your gun is safe with modern American loads. Your gun does not show the Fleur de Lis proof for steel shot.
You have what appear to me to be Provisional proof marks on the Barrels and on the Monobloc as far as I can see, and no choking indications have been seen yet.
On a Beretta 687 20 gauge of the same vintage that I have, the choke marking stars are much smaller than the provisional proof star, and are higher on the barrels than the nominal bore diameter, being so tiny on a 20 gauge as to almost appear as dots.
Yes, a micrometer caliper is accurate enough in thousandths of an inch. You just have to ensure that the barrel is not showing any out of roundness, so that you have an accurate measure. Of course, choke is the difference between the nominal bore diameter and the diameter at the muzzle.
The nominal bore diameter is measured by plug gauges so the 18.4 markings indicate that the bore accepts a gauge of 0.724 inch (18.4 mm) but will not accept a gauge of 0.728 diameter (18.5 mm). European bore diameters are often tighter than US standards.

 

[vstar650ca]

Hi all,

I'm not at all well-acquainted with over-under shotguns, but I'm a sucker for nice wood and, especially, English straight stocks. I decided to pick up this F.A.I.R. Diana OU on a whim, but have had trouble tracking down any more information about it. It is chambered in 12 gauge, 3" magnum with 26" vent-rib barrels, mid-bead, fixed chokes, single set trigger, and ejectors. The weight is right on 6lbs 11oz.

I've tried to post some detailed pictures of the markings. Can any of the barrel markings be used to determine the choke (my suspicion from the two single stars is that it may be full-and-full)?

I've had no luck finding information on the "Diana" model, so if anyone had a reference to further information, I'd love to read up on it. I suspect with the fixed chokes that it's an older model, but have no idea of age... any ideas? I was aware of F.A.I.R. as a mid-range Italian maker, and since the shotgun fit me great, I felt $800 was a decent price, although I suspect I may have slightly overpaid... still very happy with the handling of the shotgun.

That is a real nice shotgun

 

[neos]

Sorry for this, but tried to pm you regarding front sight but inbox is full. Thank you and please delete this message if you like.

 

[rci2950]

Looks like a Lincoln... I shoot a Lincoln No 2. Love it. Absolutely in love. So this might be a real winner.

 

[catnthehatt]

Gorgeous looking wood!
I think that is one of their older models before they came out with the Premier and the LX600 - to get fixed chokes these days they have to be special ordered and not all of the models will be supplied.
My 40th Anniversary model was ordered with fixed chokes but the Iside Vintage that I have was not available with fixed chokes, and both were special ordered guns.
I don't think you went wrong at all in paying $800 for it!
Cat

 

[stickhunter]

Hi all, here's a follow up to put a bit of a conclusion on my question re: how to determine the barrel chokes.

I lucked out and picked up a Stan Baker 12ga shotgun bore gauge --- funny how you come across things just when you need them!

This is a very simple tool that is calibrated against a known standard (in this case a 0.700" ring) and then inserted into the bore. The tool head has 3 opposing ball bearings under spring tension which center the tool in the bore and transfer their inward/outward movement to a rod that bears against a dial indicator. From what I understand, it's considered to be an accurate way to measure both nominal bore and choke diameter, as well as changes in bore dimension. I can attest to the latter as moving the tool head from chamber to muzzle showed me exactly at what point the choke began.

For both barrels, the bore diameter was a uniform 0.724", which agrees with the 18.4mm stamping on the barrels:

For the top barrel, the bore constricted down to 0.714" at the muzzle:

For the bottom barrel, the bore had virtually no constriction and measured 0.723" at the muzzle:

That gives the top barrel a choke of 0.010", which I understand is an improved cylinder. The bottom barrel has a cylinder choke.

I'm presuming the barrels have not been rechoked, although I have no way to tell given that I can't seem to find or interpret the choke marks, if any, on the barrels.

That being said, I did some reading and it seems typical that the bottom barrel would be choked less than the top, making it easier to track a more distant second shot with the barrel.

Not being a shotgun guy, yet, I'm also assuming that this open choked shotgun would be well-suited to upland bird and small game hunting, which is exactly what I'm hoping to use it for --- I really like the relatively light weight and easy handling short barrels, along with the straight grip stock.

Thanks so much for all the helpful replies; I have to say, I'm very happy with the shotgun as it is and look forward to getting better acquainted with it in the field and range.

 

[fishslinger]

That's a great choke combo for your needs. Nice shotgun buy the way and at the price you payed for it, wow.