Beretta S55A

heavyBullet

heavyBullet

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I have been a hunter for over 20 yrs, but rarely hunted with a shotgun usually always with a rifle, except for an old single shot 12 gauge I used to have, but I have always admired over and unders but have zero knowledge of shotguns and need your help.

Today I was offered a Pietro Beretta S55A 12guage O/U , with a full/modified barrels for $600. My friend did not know the exact yr but said it was from around 1967-1968. His brother has had them in Italy forever and never used them, and finally they did all the legal paper work last year and had them sent over here. So this particular shot gun is like new, with only a few handling marks and minty barrels.

So my question is what the value of such a shotgun is ???? I was told it would be an ok gun for trap ( something else I know nothing about) Any help you guys/gals can swing my way would be great.

Cheers!!
 
The Book of Gun Values (14th Edition...believe the most recent) has recorded the list starting from S55-B (discontinued 1977). To offer you a price comparison, the Book reflects US$565 for one in Perfect condition (to be considered as almost new by that definition).....US $455 for "Excellent" etc.

I'm afraid the fixed F/M chokes will not be fully compatible for range use....requirement of more open chokes being the norm in this scenario.

Hunting perspective (read Waterfowl), the Full choke will not be compatible for Steel shot.

In the Upland scenario, you may get by with the present choke combo. Having said that, it would certainly be to your advantage to have those chokes opened up (well, at least perhaps that F to something like IC or C). If the bbls are not chrome lined then cost to you would be something around $50 to open up each tube....chromed will cost more depending on the smith.

Opening up that choke or both chokes will also facilitate the range use effectively.

My .02 cents :)
 
These are very well made guns perfectly suited for trap range use in f/m

I bought one from TradeEx. After getting a replacement stock (I knew it was broken, so no big deal) it looks like this. I guess it's cost me a total of about $500.00. That Blue Book value seem out of wack to me. Have a look on Gun Broker and the like. I doubt you will find and S55's or other BL Series rifles in decent condition for $455. Show me where can you get a nicely made Beretta O/U for anywhere near that price.

PS: I think that the Blue book is on it's 29th edition

berettas55_c.jpg
 
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I just recently found an S56e in 12 bore. Which is the "fancy" version of the S55E. I am usually not a Beretta fan. But these are nice. The European versions of the Bl-3&4. Lightweight, smooth handling. Basically, a hand made gun. If you can find one in nice condition. Buy it ! and get it bored out the way you want it.
 
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OneBarfly said:
These are very well made guns perfectly suited for trap range use in f/m

I bought one from TradeEx. After getting a replacement stock (I knew it was broken, so no big deal) it looks like this. I guess it's cost me a total of about $500.00. That Blue Book value seem out of wack to me. Have a look on Gun Broker and the like. I doubt you will find and S55's or other BL Series rifles in decent condition for $455. Show me where can you get a nicely made Beretta O/U for anywhere near that price.

PS: I think that the Blue book is on it's 29th edition
Click to expand...

The Book I quoted from is the Gun Digest Modern Gun Values (14th Edition) by Dan Shideler - published Sep 2007. Haven't come across a later editon so far either in the gunshops or Chapter/Indigo.
 
Ahsan's right on the money with this one. Bought (and later, sold) a couple at that level.

$ 500 isn't a lot, but it's what they go for, in decent shape. Something "pristine" might be $ 600 - $ 700.

Good, solid, plain, but serviceable guns ... and I'd prefer one over a Baikal or IGA anyday !
 
Well I went back and looked at it again, since when I saw it the first time it was with beer goggles on lol.

Seems for some reason he re did the stock, it still look nice except that the stock and forearm are now a slightly different shade which kinda turns me off a bit. Other than that, the metal is all minty inside and out. When I opened it up it was nice a tight. You can see it has not seen to much ammo. I am guessing the stock got scratched up it transit from Italy or a fall or something.

I'll wait and see if he will drop his price. I really don like the fact he re did the wood, so he will have to drop the price a bit.


habs.jpg

GO HABS GO !!
 
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