Made in Italy

[Splitear]

Up until recently, my knowledge of black powder guns didn’t extend past Thompson Center, CVA and Traditions. I know, very limited.

Since joining this forum, I’ve seen some truly beautiful firearms. I’ve also noticed that most of the historic replica guns are made in Italy. I wanted to learn if there is a reason for the Italian production of these guns.

 

[Griz44Mag]

Up until recently, my knowledge of black powder guns didn’t extend past Thompson Center, CVA and Traditions. I know, very limited.

Since joining this forum, I’ve seen some truly beautiful firearms. I’ve also noticed that most of the historic replica guns are made in Italy. I wanted to learn if there is a reason for the Italian production of these guns.

Of course there is a reason - Cheap-Cheap-Cheap labor that can spend a lot of hours producing a quality firearm (I know - debatable) at a reasonable price. Same reason Indian (from India, not the reservations in Arizona or Oklahoma) are so much cheaper. (these - no debate over the quality issues - they do exist)

 

[TFoley]

Where to start? Well, the Italians of Brescia have been making high quality steel swords and daggers since the early Middle Ages. Literally dozens of armourers were based in and around the area - and still are. Just one business concern, the company of Pietro Beretta is the oldest firearms-making company on the planet - in continuous family ownership since the late 1500s. The transition from making point things to things that went bang was not difficult in and around Gardone Val Trompia. Val forgett, he of Navy Arms fame, started it all off on the late 1950's by asking the Italians to make replica BP guns for his growing empire, and it grew like a fast-growing thing.

The comment above, 'Cheap-Cheap-Cheap', may once have held a degree of water, but those days are long past - ask anybody who has just bought a pair of Perazzi's finest shotguns for $100000 if he bought them because they were made by cheap labour.

Davide Pedersoli, Pietta, Uberti, Chiappa and maybe a couple of others, having been given the rationale to get making guns, are mostly concentrating their efforts on BP firearms today, but the labour is only 'cheap' by comparison with any skilled worker in the USA doing the same job.

Oh, hold on, there isn't ANYBODY in the USA doing the same job, is there? Not now - Colt Black Powder Arms only assembled Italian-made components.

I find that comparing the likes of a Pedersoli long-range rifle, or any of their flintlock or percussion guns with Indian-made products to be specious at the very least, and misled to an almost ridiculous degree. In THAT country you are talking about cheap labour, but Italy in the 21st century? Don't make me laff.

 

[Loyalist Dave]

I’ve also noticed that most of the historic replica guns are made in Italy. I wanted to learn if there is a reason for the Italian production of these guns.

There is a long standing arms making tradition in Italy..., especially with shotguns. In the 1950-1960's, in part due to modern restrictions and in part due to the Italian movie industry churning out what were later called "Spagetti Westerns"..., several "houses" of black powder gun makers started to make repro guns, and found that there was a good market for such in Europe, AND in the United States (due a lot to TV shows like Daniel Boone and Disney's Davy Crockett.) Along came the centennial of the ACW and especially Gettysburg, followed 10 years later by the American Bicentennial, and toss in Jeremiah Johnson between those two, and you have pretty good cultural push for folks to get interested in such things.

LD

 

[Smokey Plainsman]

If it’s one thing the Italians know, it’s pizza and spaghetti.

And guns.

 

[Carbon 6]

There is a long standing arms making tradition in Italy

Indeed, the Beretta museum in Italy has some of the most unique and ornate muzzleloaders you will find anywhere. Berretta has been around since 1526.

 

[Splitear]

All of you are a wealth of knowledge, thank you.

 

[hanshi]

Italian guns are not as cheap as they used to be and the quality is usually quite good, if occasionally inconsistent. I've owned several with no complaints.

 

[TFoley]

If it’s one thing the Italians know, it’s pizza and spaghetti.

And guns.

...and cars.

 

[Sidney Smith]

Please don't mention Chiappa. In my opinion they produce garbage. I own one of their little badger survival guns and have handled several of their shotguns, and that abomination version of an M6. They are junk.

 

[Smokey Plainsman]

...and cars.

And prosciutto.

 

[Sidney Smith]

Comparing my TC Renegade against my Lyman, the quality goes to the TC. The Italians may produce good quality firearms but they aren't best you are going to find.

Maybe the Italians are the only ones producing black powder guns these days (factory produced) of any quality. There was a time when the American made factory produced guns were leaps and bounds above the spaghetti guns .

 

[Griz44Mag]

Davide Pedersoli, Pietta, Uberti, Chiappa and maybe a couple of others, having been given the rationale to get making guns, are mostly concentrating their efforts on BP firearms today, but the labour is only 'cheap' by comparison with any skilled worker in the USA doing the same job.

Oh, hold on, there isn't ANYBODY in the USA doing the same job, is there? Not now - Colt Black Powder Arms only assembled Italian-made components.

I find that comparing the likes of a Pedersoli long-range rifle, or any of their flintlock or percussion guns with Indian-made products to be specious at the very least, and misled to an almost ridiculous degree. In THAT country you are talking about cheap labour, but Italy in the 21st century? Don't make me laff.

NOWHERE did I state the Italian guns were inferior in any way -
And I did state very plainly that the Indian guns had quality issues.

The best looking and fine art details of our American artisans constructing long rifles are second to none anywhere in the world. And priced accordingly.

Go ahead and laff (laugh for us 'mericans) - the yolks on you. We are saying the same thing - all you have to do is read it.....

 

[Smokey Plainsman]

NOWHERE did I state the Italian guns were inferior in any way -
And I did state very plainly that the Indian guns had quality issues.

The best looking and fine art details of our American artisans constructing long rifles are second to none anywhere in the world. And priced accordingly.

Go ahead and laff (laugh for us 'mericans) - the yolks on you. We are saying the same thing - all you have to do is read it.....

The Italians can be real nice but your right, the American Customs are unbeatable.

And that’s no laffing matter.

 

[Bledfor Days]

Please don't mention Chiappa. In my opinion they produce garbage. I own one of their little badger survival guns and have handled several of their shotguns, and that abomination version of an M6. They are junk.

I have to mention Chiappa. You're talking about unmentionables. I will shamelessly post a couple pictures of my Chiappa Napoleon Lepage 45. again. The fit and finish is great and the blueing is deep and dark. It's also as or more accurate as any of my unmentionable pistols. I got the last one in Canada from a dealer in Montreal. I just wish they made a rifle of similar quality. Viva Italia!

 

[Cowboy]

I have to mention Chiappa. You're talking about unmentionables. I will shamelessly post a couple pictures of my Chiappa Napoleon Lepage 45. again. The fit and finish is great and the blueing is deep and dark. It's also as or more accurate as any of my unmentionable pistols. I got the last one in Canada from a dealer in Montreal. I just wish they made a rifle of similar quality.

That’s a beauty my friend. Very nice!

Respectfully, Cowboy

 

[Half-Cocked]

Up until recently, my knowledge of black powder guns didn’t extend past Thompson Center, CVA and Traditions. I know, very limited.

Since joining this forum, I’ve seen some truly beautiful firearms. I’ve also noticed that most of the historic replica guns are made in Italy. I wanted to learn if there is a reason for the Italian production of these guns.

Lookup segio leone and his movies and he might begin to understand why they're made at Italy.

Apparently Italy has a fascination with our cowboy culture. Much to our benefit there are companies in Italy that are manufacturing old west style rifles quite well too.

In my fantasy I imagine Mr pieta's father making replica firearms for those old Sergio Leone movies. You know what I'm probably not that far off from the truth.

It's an issue of a different country being fascinated with a period and culture of our country much like the Japanese and American baseball.

 

[Half-Cocked]

If it’s one thing the Italians know, it’s pizza and spaghetti.

And guns.

Don't forget westerns where there is a long pause and no dialogue with close up face shots showing just how serious these men are.

Everything in a Sergio Leone movie is very serious.

Sometimes I just sit back and love the world around me. Thank you Italy thank you Mr pieta. Thank you Mr Leone for making my life just a little better.

 

[jonathan hawkin]

...and cars.

And bikes.

 

[SPQR70AD]

If it’s one thing the Italians know, it’s pizza and spaghetti.

And guns.

if it is one thing the irish know is booze and getting drunk