Beretta O/U info and opinions on value

[2strklvr]

Sorry no pics at this time, hopefully I can post some up in the next day or two. Also I don't have the gun in front of me right now, so some of this info may be subject to change. Anyways, my most recent aquisition has me a little intrigued as in searching CGN and other forums I have yet to find another Beretta exactly like it. It is a 12ga. O/U with (I believe) 28" barrel's. Fixed chokes, full over mod. The boxlock is nickel finished and nicely engraved with what I would call a floral pattern. It does say P.Beretta on the rhs of the boxlock, but there isn't a Beretta logo engraved anywhere side or bottom, like many that I have seen. On the bottom is engraved "Model S686 Special" , "Made in Italy" and "Verdone VT" or something like that, memory escapes me on the last one. The proof mark in the rectangle on the bottom barrel is AF, which apparently means the date of mfg. is 1980. There are many other marks on the barrel's, but I don't remember off hand what they are other than is says "Gauge 12". No mention of chamber size. The gun has a single, selective, gold trigger with the selector switch incorporated into the safety. There is a vent rib on top with a single brass bead sight. There are sling swivels with the forward one being soldered to the bottom barrel which to my eyes looks to be a factory job. Finally this gun has a straight grip English stock which is nicely hand checkered.

I am mostly interested to hear anyone's opinion as to what the mfg's intended use for this shotgun is as it seems most Beretta's are purpose built. FWIW I'm thinking about using it for some upland and to go out to the sand pit and kill some clay from time to time.

Secondly would like some informed opinions on what this shotgun is worth. not that it is for sale, or likely ever will be. Just curious more than anything. It is near mint with only some light handling marks/safe kisses on the stock and some marks to the bluing on the bottom barrel that are only seen when the forestock is removed. I'd call it a solid 90%.

 

[Win/64]

It could be an s55 or s56e. Tough to give a value on without pic's. TradeEx has them every now and then usually go for 6-$700.

 

[Claybuster]

As noted on the receiver it's a Beretta 686 Special. The straight grip, fixed chokes and sling swivel means it's a hunting gun. The chamber length should be somewhere on the barrels but measured in millimeters. Look for 12/70 or 12/76. 70 equals 2-3/4", 76 is 3 inch.

Tough to put a value on a gun without seeing it but I'd say $700 or so in 90 per cent condition.

 

[CanadaBoy]

ZFARM in Ste-Catherine has a one on their website for sale. Its a 30 inch barreled S686 which is a sporting model with ventilated side ribs, 3 inch chambers, mobilchokes, and what appear to be replaceableshoulders on the barrels. They want $1850 for it.

Accuracy Plus in Peterborough had an S686 Specialin excellent condition that just sold for $1200, I looked at it and it was a field gun with 28 inch barrels, solid side ribs, 3 inch chambers and mobilchokes.

There seems to be a bit of confusion and not much hard info in the S686 Special. From what I can tell fit and finish seem on par with the newer S686 Silver Pigeon.

 

[2strklvr]

ZFARM in Ste-Catherine has a one on their website for sale. Its a 30 inch barreled S686 which is a sporting model with ventilated side ribs, 3 inch chambers, mobilchokes, and what appear to be replaceableshoulders on the barrels. They want $1850 for it.

Accuracy Plus in Peterborough had an S686 Specialin excellent condition that just sold for $1200, I looked at it and it was a field gun with 28 inch barrels, solid side ribs, 3 inch chambers and mobilchokes.

There seems to be a bit of confusion and not much hard info in the S686 Special. From what I can tell fit and finish seem on par with the newer S686 Silver Pigeon.

At first glance you would think that my 686 is a Silver Pigeon. The engraving on the Pigeon may be a little more elaborate, but everthing else looks almost identical (other than my English stock and sling swivels). Having never handled a Silver Pigeon, I can't comment on the quality comparison, but IMHO the fit, finish and craftsmanship of my gun is very,very good.

FWIW your prices of $1200-ish is more along the lines of what I had in mind for a value. Maybe I under-estimated the condition a bit, but AFAIC 90% desribes a gun that is practically like new,which mine is. To be honest I was a little surprised at the $6-700 responses. In fact if someone out there has a Beretta like mine that they are willing to part with for 600 bucks, PM me. I'll take it.

 

[Claybuster]

FWIW your prices of $1200-ish is more along the lines of what I had in mind for a value. Maybe I under-estimated the condition a bit, but AFAIC 90% desribes a gun that is practically like new,which mine is. To be honest I was a little surprised at the $6-700 responses. In fact if someone out there has a Beretta like mine that they are willing to part with for 600 bucks, PM me. I'll take it.

When you describe a gun that is 90 per cent that typically translates to "Very Good" by the NRA condition standards.

NRA Modern Gun Condition Standards:

NEW: Not previously sold at retail, in same condition as current factory production.

PERFECT: In New condition in every respect.

EXCELLENT: New condition, used but little, no noticeable marring of wood or metal, bluing perfect, (except at muzzle or sharp edges).

VERY GOOD: In perfect working condition, no appreciable wear on working surfaces, no corrosion or pitting, only minor surface dents or scratches.

GOOD: In safe working condition, minor wear on working surfaces, no broken parts, no corrosion or pitting that will interfere with proper functioning.

FAIR: In safe working condition but well worn, perhaps requiring replacement of minor parts or adjustments which should be indicated in advertisement, no rust, but may have corrosion pits which do not render article unsafe or inoperable.

Your Beretta isn't a clay target gun. Skeet and sporting shooters wouldn't want it because of the chokes. Mod and full are too tight for those games. The chokes are fine for trap but the short barrels, sling swivels and the straight hand stock make it less than appealing for trap.

It's not an ideal upland gun with those chokes particularly in heavy cover or over pointers. It might be okay for pheasants late in the season that flush at distance. It's not a waterfowl gun either. Not with a full choke.

The nearest comparison was the gun mentioned in the previous thread at Accuracy Plus but it has chokes, was in excellent condition and most likely had a pistol grip not the less desirable English stock.

No offense but it is a lower grade gun from a good maker in a configuration that is not particularly desirable on today's market. Even if you understated the condition, if graded excellent you might get the value to $900 but not much more.

 

[2strklvr]

When you describe a gun that is 90 per cent that typically translates to "Very Good" by the NRA condition standards.



Your Beretta isn't a clay target gun. Skeet and sporting shooters wouldn't want it because of the chokes. Mod and full are too tight for those games. The chokes are fine for trap but the short barrels, sling swivels and the straight hand stock make it less than appealing for trap.

It's not an ideal upland gun with those chokes particularly in heavy cover or over pointers. It might be okay for pheasants late in the season that flush at distance. It's not a waterfowl gun either. Not with a full choke.

The nearest comparison was the gun mentioned in the previous thread at Accuracy Plus but it has chokes, was in excellent condition and most likely had a pistol grip not the less desirable English stock.

No offense but it is a lower grade gun from a good maker in a configuration that is not particularly desirable on today's market. Even if you understated the condition, if graded excellent you might get the value to $900 but not much more.

No offence taken. From the explanation above I would say that I'm bang-on calling it at 90%, thanks for that info! I do understand that the gun is a bit of an oddball, but what makes it "lower grade"? Like I said the fit&finish is terrific and the lumber is quite pretty with a nice pattern to the grain. Not being a smart-ass, just wondering how you tell a high-grade Beretta from a low-grade one?

Personally I like the straight grip, and I'm sure that there are more than a few fans of old English double guns out there that would concur. As far as the chokes go, I could always have the gunsmith at Epp's open them up if I wanted to, but I think that I'll try it as-is for a while before I do anything like that. Like I said, the gun is not for sale and likely never will be, but I do enjoy hearing from more knowledgable CGNer's. It's always a good day when you learn something new!

 

[Claybuster]

No offence taken. From the explanation above I would say that I'm bang-on calling it at 90%, thanks for that info! I do understand that the gun is a bit of an oddball, but what makes it "lower grade"? Like I said the fit&finish is terrific and the lumber is quite pretty with a nice pattern to the grain. Not being a smart-ass, just wondering how you tell a high-grade Beretta from a low-grade one?

Personally I like the straight grip, and I'm sure that there are more than a few fans of old English double guns out there that would concur. As far as the chokes go, I could always have the gunsmith at Epp's open them up if I wanted to, but I think that I'll try it as-is for a while before I do anything like that. Like I said, the gun is not for sale and likely never will be, but I do enjoy hearing from more knowledgable CGNer's. It's always a good day when you learn something new!

The 686 is the lowest grade and least expensive o/u in the current Beretta lineup. All of the 68x series Berettas are of the same basic design and are good guns. I've owned a couple of them. The 682 is the target version while the 687 is available in hunting and target versions and in much fancier grades.

After the 68x guns would come the DT 10 (formerly the ASE 90) and then into the SO series sidelocks which can run well into the mid five figures.

The straight grip is an acquired taste. I like them for field use because I find them more comfortable to carry and slightly better for instinctive shooting but they somewhat detract from the value of a gun due to their lack of popularity.