Giuseppi Gitti SxS

K

ken1989

CGN Regular
Rating - 100%
495   0   0
Location
Sherwood Park, AB
I was wondering if anybody had info on Giuseppi Gitti double barrel shotguns? I have a Giuseppi Gitti SxS (12 gauge, 2 3/4", 30" barrels), right barrel is inscribed with " ACCIAIO BREDA CROMATO " (steel manufacturer?) and the left barrel is inscribed with "GIUSEPPE GITTI . GARDONE V.T." (gun maker). My research determined that the Gittis family of gun makers worked in the Val Tropia region which lies north of Venice. I have determined that this gun was made in 1956 (from date stamp code). Any info as well as the gun value would be great appreciated.
 
Last edited:
Nope, never heard of it but that looks like a very well made gun. And yes, in excellent condition. With the features it has, it could realistically be in the $2,000 range.
 
It is a lovely boxlock, extractor, Italian gun, which I would enjoy in the field if I owned it.
The action and doll's head are very similar to a Armi San Marco that I own, though the engraving is much nicer. There seem to be quite a few makers in Val Trompia in this time frame working from the same actions.
I have a lot of trouble with the $2K valuation, being twice, or nearly so, what an equivalent Beretta or other well known maker is worth with these features, and from this date.
 
ken1989 said:
This gun has not been refinished. It locks up tightly, it has seen much use. Thank you for the comments - much appreaciated!
Click to expand...
Reason I asked if it had been refinished is I see 2 weep holes close together drilled in between the ribs on the bottom of the barrels. Usually these are plugged from the factory, but not always. The bluing appears very nice (by the pics) for a gun that has seen a lot of use so seeing those unplugged weep holes prompted my question of wondering if perhaps the barrels had been reblued.
 
I have that same gun in 3" 20 gauge, mine has been restocked, (cracked in a car accident) and I would value mine easily at $2000.00.
I bought mine new in 1966. not sure year of manufacture. I haven't shot it many years.
 
I have the same gun by the same maker except mine is 3" magnum.
My dad purchased from Al Flaherty's in 1972 and when he passed away in 1993 it became mine.

I have only fired 3" out of it once and I'll never do that again but love the old gun.
 
gunsaholic said:
I agree. One might push $1100.00 tops out of it to the right guy. I think $2000.00 in this country is wishful thinking.
Click to expand...

I second this comment. I will say that this gun appears to be incredibly similar to 50's-60's Beretta's and is possible that it is built off of the same platform. Many Italian guild guns (made by independent gunsmiths) didnt manufacture their own actions. Instead, they purchased pre-made actions in which they customized and completed. It is in all likelihood that this is the case with this particular gun. That doesnt mean its any any less of a gun by any means. But it would definately be wishful thinking to get $2000 for a Beretta from the same time period, so I wouldnt imagine that a gun of equal or lessor quality would command more then a Beretta branded sxs. Beretta's or similar quality boxlocks from the same time period sell anywhere from $500-$1200 depending on condition of course. I think this firearm is a beautiful example of an Italian guild gun worth the praise for what it is. In my opinion, this firearm would be worth along the lines of $700-800 at most given its condition.
 
Brian, I don't mean to argue about pricing with you. You are generally pretty much on the money. I'll just say for the range of prices suggested, $700 up to $1100 that's a hell of a SxS. Sideclips, bushed firing pins, gas escape channels, scalloped action, extensive hand engraving....definitely a buyers market if that is what it would take to sell that gun.
 
Nice gun in super shape, the action is very comparable to my buddy's Gamba, strong crossbolt action as well and i love a gun with side clips!
However, that being said, a Giti is worth $1,000 tops these days, not much more.
Cat
 
canvasback said:
Brian, I don't mean to argue about pricing with you. You are generally pretty much on the money. I'll just say for the range of prices suggested, $700 up to $1100 that's a hell of a SxS. Sideclips, bushed firing pins, gas escape channels, scalloped action, extensive hand engraving....definitely a buyers market if that is what it would take to sell that gun.
Click to expand...

This is one of those cases of buy the gun, not the name. It is a gun that offers a lot of features for what the gun will bring in this country. If the seller was to hold out, perhaps a buyer would come along that would pay a higher price. But I think if the seller wanted to move the gun in a reasonable length of time, I believe around $1100.00 is the market area. But hey, I have been wrong before, and if I am, all the better for the seller.
 
Its only worth what someone is willing to pay, or what its insured for. Unless the seller holds out for what he thinks is acceptable, guns like that are best kept and enjoyed. I once sold a quality Italian guild gun. It was a beautiful o/u that I wish I never sold. I told myself that if the right offer came along, I'd let it go. Well I got the right offer about 4 months later and the gun was gone. Turns out there was no such thing as the right offer because Im still bummed about letting it go.
 
I have the same gun only the gold name plate is on the bottom of the stock not the top. Great gun an absolute joy to carry. I've been told the quality is easily as good as Beretta but with more features. I've had offers of $1000 for mine but it still haven't sold it yet. I've also been told it's worth $1800-2200 but I believe this would be hard to get here. I'd pay $1000 for a gun of this quality
 
I appreacate the response. Attached is some info that I collected from research.

Manufacturered by a large family of Gittis that worked in the Val Tropia region which lies north of Venice. They still work in large cooperatives with some family specializing in barrels while others would do the stock and others the locks. Most of them now sub contract to Beretta.
Giuseppe Gitti, Gardone VT: One of the many (over 300) Registered Gunmakers or families of the town of Gardone Val Trompia ( G in the Trompia Valley) up the creek from Brescia, the Centre of Italian Gunmaking since the mid or early 1500s, and iron making since Roman times.
A lot of shotguns were made in small, individual lots, by families working together, each supplier contributing various parts, etc to be assembled into a complete Gun. The Final "maker" usually placed their name on the gun; Very few families made a gun from all the raw materials right through to the finished article, but of course the bigger "industrial" makers do so.( Beretta, Bettinsoli, Pedrazzi etc, etc).
These "family" or "artisan" makes supplied the general Italian shotgun market for over a century, and they were also exported by "co-operatives" specifically formed to market the guns out of Italy.
Date of manufacture of early Italian made shotguns can be determine by proof marks, see attached link.
http://www.shotguns.se/html/italy.html

By the way, I saw the exact gun listed for $3500 US and later listed as sold.

Again, I appreciate the comments.
 
ken1989 said:
By the way, I saw the exact gun listed for $3500 US and later listed as sold.

Again, I appreciate the comments.
Click to expand...

You will see significant price discrepancies between US and Canadian pricing, particularly on older SxS. It's just a fact of life. Our market is not in sync with the US market and there are enough border controls in both directions to keep it that way. No free flow of goods and services when it comes to guns. Checking US pricing simple tells you what a given gun may sell for in that market.

FYI, moving a gun south legally will cost a MINIMUM of $350 USD which is now around around $500 Cdn, so to make selling one down there worth while, it needs to be a reasonably high value gun.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom