Condor Franks - In the period immediately following GM II, SA Luigi Franchi of Brescia was a robust industrial company dedicated to the creation of its new semiautomatic, the Mod. 48, which would achieve enormous success in the years to come. Together they maintained an accurate production of refined side-by-side shotguns, at the time not yet exceeded in the tastes of the customers by the over-and-under and then by the semi-auto: in the two side-by-side barrels the House had a large range of proposals suitable to meet the different needs of the market. In the Thirties the Imperiale Montecarlo was born, the weapon designed for hunting and pigeon shooting, borrowing its name from the splendid Monegasque plant where it would have known sensational victories. Let's leave aside the Imperiale and its various declinations which, in this period, saw some details of no secondary importance change, focusing attention on the younger sister, the Condor side-by-side: observing today this example of 1952 one remains admired for the line. , volumes and execution, a concentration of class and technique that moves feelings of appreciation and reverence towards those who did it. We use this verb precisely because a large part of the components saw a manual realization: we were lucky enough during a visit to the Franchi, when he was still in via del Serpente in Brescia, to observe the legendary Bortolo Gitti at work who, hammer and chisel to the hand, it gave the characteristic round shape to the action breasts of a Diana side-by-side. Truly an exciting show of gunsmithing art. Let's go back to the Condor which contains a substantial part of the specifications of the older sister, with some reductions useful to maintain a more favorable quotation.
Franchi Condor - The receiver
Already at first glance one is struck by the harmony of the whole: characteristic of these Franks is the action of reduced proportions, even in thickness, the almost enveloping and slightly compressed breasts on the back, edged by a very small relief cord. The locks are of type H. & H. with double safety arms and with a fine adjustment of the clicks: this alone would be enough to qualify the gun, but the execution certifies even more the placing the Condor among the top-class side-by-side shotguns. The measures we mentioned earlier also affect the plate: limited development in height, insertion in the side of the receiver with a round arch while the lateral reinforcement that houses it has a more acute curve, in harmony with that of the rear apex, all finalized to the function and the sleek elegance of the design. The observation of the head highlights the two polished threads bordering the breasts and the shaping of the head with cleverly played recesses and reliefs to revive the volumes where the key disc is inserted, fixed, it must be said, with the classic split screw end. The key is precisely one of the distinctive signs of a swing-action shotgun: that of the Franchi has its own personality, especially in the shape of the button, if we want to be placed between those of the great British and Belgians. The elongated oval is decidedly beautiful and the finger pushes it naturally by activating the opening of the rods. Let us now pause our gaze on the upper tail of the receiver: the almost severe style of the tapering with the short lanceolate tip where the safety button is inserted is appreciable, also in stylistic assonance with its support. Let's move on to the back where the compact measures stand out with the slightly tapered front part at the junction with the crosshead. The edges are highlighted by the two polished cords descending from the lateral reinforcements: nothing more, with a stylistic dryness that keeps costs at bay, highlighting the class. Finally, we appreciate the precise interlocking in the back of the extension of the bridge, stopped by a screw and disguised by the engravings of a bouquet of roses, spirals and small friezes masterfully played with discreet shading: obviously the engraving stands out equally on the other parts of the receiver and on the side folders. It should be emphasized that the size and refinement of the ornamentation are perfectly consequential to the technical and executive substance of the rifle which, we repeat, was a lower grade model than the various proposals of the Imperial Monte Carlo: the unforgettable Gianoberto Lupi rightly maintained that a bad engraving on a good shotgun was awkward, but a good engraving on a cheap shotgun was horrid.
Franchi Condor - The reeds
Let's move on to the barrels, another qualifying component of the Condor: classic length of 70 cm, drilling at 18,3 mm and chokes equal to 7/10 and 9/10, deservedly responsible according to the owner's proof of excellent shots at considerable distances and not occasionally, but with repetitive constancy: it must be said that whoever holds it is a formidable migratory hitter so he knows how to exploit the prerogatives of his rifle well. For the steel, one of the most prestigious brands was chosen, the English Vickers which was given an internal "super chromium plating" as a guarantee against corrosive triggers and any possible neglect of the buyer, which fortunately did not occur. It is valuable to obtain from the solid wood of each barrel the support half-plane to the action table and valid, in the junction of the two tubes, the fixing of the group of tenons by means of a dovetail joint and welding with low melting point alloy: we assume that it is this is because we do not see those small greenish oxide emissions characteristic of strong soldering where a component of the brass is precisely copper. Drilling and straightening are carried out in a workmanlike manner and the ribs are carefully welded: the upper one is concave and hand-shaded with a cross-file work.
Franchi Condor - The woods
The stock features two pieces of medium-high grade walnut, with a honeyed background color and brown flames well arranged in line with the force of the recoil; followed by the half-pistol grip with reported guard, the medium-high nosepiece and the back with a linear profile and of convenient thickness to ensure a comfortable support of the cheek without excessively burdening the weight. In the classic shape, very slender and tapered, there is the crosshead with the pump mechanism for coupling to the barrels; in the hollow of the cross there are evident the notches in which the teeth placed in the hinge of the receiver work for the arming of the locks and the automatic ejection device whose hammers protrude into the upper surface.
Franchi Condor - To conclude
The prices of the Condors have been affected by the depression that has been going on for some time on the market: nevertheless they maintain values appropriate to their caliber. Many are in the classic 12 gauge, but they are found in the 16 gauge, rediscovered by several connoisseurs in recent years, and then in the graceful 20 gauge, once reserved for gentle hunters and then adopted by rude hunters looking for less fatigue in the port and greater sportsmanship and shooting dexterity. If one happens, carefully evaluate its originality, in particular in the drilling of the barrels, then follow all the other details that certify the absence of tampering. Hence a limited forcing of the wallet will allow you to take home a piece of Italian gun history.
I love my Fausti over / under shotgun but keeping it and not being able to use it is worse .. so I decided to sell it to not see it .. it is a great old shotgun but well kept and little used .. if there is a buyer I am sure he will be happy of the deal he will do .. my friends tell me that selling it is crazy too good for collectibles so it is more difficult to find a buyer… I hope so and I wish him to be able to use it and enjoy it forever….