Renato Gamba

[Mike Poindexter]

Just picked up a Model Oxford 90 with a date code ("BB") which translates to 1992 from what I've read. The gun is gaudier than most of the Parkers and Smiths I've gotten over the years, but the price was so right and the condition so good that I bit. Pictures below. My reading indicates RG made and exported guns at least from the 70's onward, playing musical importers here in the US, and making some reputation with SBT's in the International and Olympic Trap game in the 90's. This is a side-plated boxlock but I have also seen pictures of scalloped frame boxlocks with completely different roll engraving using the identical model name. They also make higher end sidelocks. All of the pictures Ive seen of this model show a straight grip stock with double triggers and mid-grade wood and checkering. This gun has a single non-selective gold washed trigger and a pistol grip stock with a fairly pronounced curve, exhibition grade walnut, and finely hand cut checkering that looks to my layman's eye like 26 or 28 LPI. Maybe more. My question to the board is simple--is this a special order from the factory with upgrades, or is it an aftermarket restock and refinish. The only flaw I can see is it has a very thin and inexpensive rubber recoil pad, that I cant imagine being put on at the factory. But, who knows. I would be interested in any thoughts or comments. It has good dimensions and appears virtually unfired, so if I can hit with it at clays I'll probably keep it. Thanks in advance.

[edgarspencer]

If it's a box lock, why all the pins and axle? Certainly looks like a side lock to me.

[keavin nelson]

What Edgar said, looks like a sidelock to me with the multiple pins penetrating. They wouldn't do that for just looks??????

[Mike Poindexter]

According to what I read, the side plates have dummy pins. M. McIntosh wrote a review of this gun in The Gun Review Book (Down East Books 1997) where he mentions this : "The plates, in turn, are fitted with a full complement of dummy pins placed exactly where lock-pins would be on true sidelocks. The real Oxford 90 lockwork is a variation on the Anson & Deeley design." Id. at 68-69. He also mentions that the stock is drawbolt, and his stated observation that the engraving is a combination of machine-cut scroll and hand-cut linework. I disagree with the latter, because examination under a 10X loupe shows no evidence of hand cutting, but rather appears to be either roll pressed or laser engraved. I suspect the latter, because there are no raised edges that often appear with roll engraving. AS Ed M used to say, "Investigation continues..." Thanks for your thoughts.

[Kevin McCormack]

Renato Gamba built some full-blown sidelock pigeon guns with all the heavy duty bells and whistles (side clips, 3rd fasteners, 3-inch chambers with heavy proofs, obturator discs, etc.) in the 1970s. My brother owned one 30" gun for a few years and shot it at box birds with good results. It was a finely finished gun with very slightly weight forward at around 8 lb. 12 oz. Their better examples are indeed nice guns.

[CraigThompson]

You left out two important details ! Length of barrels and how tight are they ? Also be curious to know drops and LOP !

[Mike Poindexter]

27" barrels, chrome lined, 2 3/4 chambers; .723 bores both; Choked 20pts R and 40pts L.; chokes begin about 4 1/2 inches from the muzzle, progressive taper; 14 1/4 LOP, 1 1/2 DAC, 2 1/2 DAH; wt. 6 lbs 14 1/2 oz.; 3" pitch down. Talked to the importer who handled them from 1996 to 2000 here in Denver. He said the factory was very flexible with options. He said they even imported barreled actions and stock blanks to sell to custom makers here in the states. He thinks all these upgrades are factory. Importer before him was Giacomo Sporting Goods, he thinks from Indiana somewhere. My barrels are stamped as such on the bottom in front of the flats. Unless something else shows up, I think I'm done looking. Time to shoot.

[James L. Martin]

Giacomo Sporting is a Perazzi dealer in Lee Center, New York

[Mike Poindexter]

Bingo! Thanks for the help James.

[Bill Murphy]

The Giacomo stamps look like import marks, but what do I know?

[Mike Poindexter]

I think they are exactly that Murph--import marks from Giacomo Sporting of Rome, NY, who was the exclusive US importer for RG in the early 90's , but now deals mainly in Perazzis:
https://www.giacomosportingusa.com/
The Firing Line here in Denver, took over as distributor in about 1996 but that lasted for less than 5 years from what I can tell. I think RG took it in house after that, but I really dont know for sure. At any rate, if the gun ever needs work I'll know who to send it to.