Franchi SMG

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fleabaggins

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Hi all, I hope this is the right forum for this:
I am wondering what a reasonable price is for a Franchi LF57 9mm SMG. It is the second generation (I think) SMG that fires from an open bolt. It has the short (8"?) barrel, and is restricted. It is in almost mint condition.
Any ideas of what a fair price is for this rare creature?

Thanks.
Mike C
 
What do you mean it's restricted? it's more like 12/2 don't you think?

What it's worth? not much in Canada the market is very small, and it cannot be imported in the US.

Unfortunately i think it's worth more as a dewat than live.
 
When I say it's restricted, I mean it is restricted. It is a semi auto only open bolt firearm. I have even seen the registration certificate.
Hope that helps.
McCoy said:
What do you mean it's restricted? it's more like 12/2 don't you think?

What it's worth? not much in Canada the market is very small, and it cannot be imported in the US.

Unfortunately i think it's worth more as a dewat than live.
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Oh i see!
A rare bird indeed, yes youre right Franchi made a semi model, but i never thought there was any in Canada and i thought they only made a few with 16" barrel, they were made in small number in the sixties for the US market mostly.


Picture please !
.
 
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From the net:

The Italian gun-making company Luigi Franchi Spa produced its first submachine gun, designated as LF-56, in 1956. This was a prototype weapon thatbore more than a passing similarity to the prototype submachine guns designed couple of years earlier by Beretta in the process of developing the PM12 submachine guns. Next year, Franchi began production of a slightly improved weapon, designated LF-57. This weapon was adopted by Italian Navy in 1962, but competition from other designs, most notably the Beretta's Model12 and Heckler und Koch's MP5, limited sales of this basically good weapon, which, nevertheless, remained on the market until late 1980s, mostly because of export sales to certain African countries. In around 1962 Franchi also introduced a semi-automatic version of the LF-57, knownas Police Model; this weapon had longer barrel (406mm) and was exported and sold commercially in USA.
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Hmmm...it's hard to say. On one hand it's a very cool, interesting, rare firearm, made by a reputable manufacturer, and available to anyone with a restricted license. On the other hand, its rarity would probably make spare parts difficult or impossible to find, possibly limiting its appeal to collectors only. Looking at other SMG-type firearms available today, I'd guess maybe something in the $1000-$1500 range...maybe higher if a buyer was very keen on it.
 
I don't think I could bring myself to spend $1200-1500 on something quite this lacking in aesthetic:

franchi_lf57-2.jpg
 
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