There are companies that choose to practice the very high end of the market and focus their production on technical contents consequential to their option, others, on the other hand, expand their proposal also in the defined more commercial sector, a qualification that does not imply anything inferior in terms of quality. and surrender. It must be acknowledged that genius is often a winning spring for the Gardonese, and the Angiolino Falco factory is a clear example of this: the work carried out today is partly conspicuous by his son and daughter, Roberto and Roberta as indicated by the two Rs in the championship of the company brand, shows classic pieces such as the Alpine kipplauf in the two versions, and together the Overtop conquers its own considerable space, a leaflet that marks its territory among hunters who disdain the most, understood as surplus technology, appreciating together that extremely favorable quality / price ratio.
Precisely here lies the focal point of a rifle like this under examination which we would define the maximum of the minimum: the minimum in the meantime is represented by the very low price which for many ball hunters, especially those of the mountain, is of capital importance because the culture of savings and prudence, in this very close to that of the United States, require not to spend more than what actually serves the purpose, beyond the actual possibilities. To achieve this, it is necessary to adopt a technical system where, with simple elements in concept and production, function, ease and safety of use are preserved.
Simple and functional technique
The folding single barrel has been one of the staples of Garda's smooth barrel production for a very long time and has chambered everything from rimfire cartridges to all central fire calibers. With the spread in Italy of hunting ungulates with the rifled barrel, this system, after some substantial measures, proved to be suitable for supporting the trials of metal case cartridges and Falco produces it in different versions. Let's start with the action frame obtained by a milling cutter from a forged alloy steel with a lying L shape: the sides show the evident lateral reinforcements that descend from the head extending along the table, then rounding off to give shape to the back. The integral pin key with a characteristic line with bevels in the body of limited length and knurled button is inserted into the chamfered profile head.
The front part of the receiver sees the rounded surfaces that in a classic swing door would represent the hinge turn: here they are a shrewd modeling without a mechanical function entrusted to the eye in which the barrel rotation pin is inserted. The wall thicknesses are considerable and in the center there is the recess for the tenon, protruding from the monobloc, whose front surface rests on the integral relief milled in the back, counteracting the forward thrust generated by the shot while, in the rear one, it is note the mortise for the closing plug which inhibits the rotation force; the firing pin exit hole is made in the face and the spring-loaded pawl protrudes for repositioning the key in the center when closing the rifle. The cocking slide with the deactivation button slides in the recess of the upper codetta when you want to postpone the shot: this solution of the assembly of the battery separated from the tilting of the barrel is now generalized for the safety it offers with the relaxation of the battery spring keeping the cartridge in the chamber.
The plant they call in Germans manual tension offers an additional advantage by allowing you to adjust the release to very low values, such as one faster, because it is activated already in the aiming a moment before the shot. The guard, bridge and lower tail assembly are elegantly obtained in a single block and finished with care: the front extension fits into the back of the receiver with a square profile, the trigger, with anti-oxide gilding, and the Allen key for the trigger weight adjustment (100 - 500 g). The safe becomes pleonastic as it is usually understood and therefore simply does not exist.
With only 92 cm, compactness is a prerogative, together with the low weight of 2800 g, of this type of shotgun, correlated to the dimensions of the action frame and the barrel which is obtained from a triple-alloyed and rifled steel bar for rotomamming: the length is only 50 cm plus 5 cm of the muzzle brake, of the fixed or removable type, useful for the reduced mass of the weapon, especially with lively caliber cartridges and heavy bullets. The barrel is inserted in the breech monobloc from which the integral 11 mm rail for the assembly of the optics, the lower tenon and the eye in which the rotation pin is positioned are obtained. This detail, we mean the eye, must be sturdy and precisely adjusted in its seat because it regulates the draft between the two components of the shotgun: barrel and action. The stem of the manual extractor slides on the right side: the contrast with a recess made in the side of the action activates the movement. In the photographed specimen you can see the spring-loaded nail required for the .270 Win cartridge. without collar. .308 Win calibers are offered. 5,6x50R DWM, 6,5x57R Mauser, 7x65R Brenneke, with the willingness to follow the customer's personal requests. For our part, we always prefer the German calibers with the collar case: in addition to benefiting from direct extraction, they use slightly lower charges than the rifle counterparts, reducing the holding efforts.
The wood has two distinct parts with the classic-style butt: high and blunt nose pad, linear and very thick back, cheek rest, long pistol grip to offer a correct facial posture and a firm grip even for those with small hands, together ensuring the right action of the finger on the trigger. The embedding with growing wood is appreciable: the head shows junction profiles designed to avoid possible cracks and accuracy of processing even in the most critical points such as the angles between the head and the upper frame of the receiver. The prismatic shaft with rounded edges and flat bottom allows a secure grip in the eventual shooting in motion as a stable support on the backpack for the stationary one: characteristic recess in which the guard is positioned when the rifle is completely folded, almost halving it extension. In this configuration it is easy to stow it in the backpack, very convenient in approaching marches.
The surface seems to us treated with the current embellishment films and the result is decidedly positive; pleasant and functional the checkering, derived from the classic Scottish, now easily obtainable with the laser. The soft black rubber buttpad softens the recoil while still allowing it to rest on the ground. The peg for the strap holder protrudes from the apex of the shaft: the rear one still had to be positioned. The acorn and oak frond engraving is a nice aesthetic addition.
To conclude, let's look again at the sealing and closing system: we have in mind the folded leaflets and here things seem similar, but in reality they are very different. The very compact action frame has resistant masses of ample guarantee and in particular the straight section at the junction between the table and the face must be observed with the thicknesses of the reinforcements on the sides. The tenon is unique, but with considerable proportions and a favorable lever arm when closing: it also enjoys a correct adjustment highlighted by the side and front streaks, the qualifying points for a long operating life. The Overtop seems to us to be the right choice for those who are eminently looking for functionality to be combined with high physical skills to undermine the wild in the mountains as in the many wooded areas of our territories.