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.