Shotguns: The production of Rizzini di Marcheno ranges over a variety of over-and-under shots that can satisfy a wide range of requests for calibers, types of action, aesthetic refinements, all united by a valuable executive quality.
by Emanuele Tabasso
The name Rizzini is very common in the gunmaking sector of Val Trompia, but only the Rizzini® brand qualifies the weapons produced in Marcheno by the company run, together with the two daughters Moira and Pamela, by Mr. Battista, practical, curious and experimenter, lover job well done. Now the company is also dedicating itself to a side-by-side with particular mechanical prerogatives, but having previously chosen the over-under as a sector in which to decisively spend one's energies clearly indicates that the specialization here is certainly not seen as a limitation, but rather as a ramp of launch to advance more and more. By observing the shotguns produced, one immediately becomes aware of this fact because the overall design has that grace of research and stylistic maturation while scrolling through the executive details comforts on what can be obtained from precision machines, obviously used in the right way. They range from classic to rounded action frames, from traditional calibers to medium and small ones, which have come back in vogue not only for the shed but for hunting with the dog, they are set up express together with the platform rifles and it is worth remembering how the Rizzini is one of the very few companies that entered the ranks of suppliers for Fitav champions.
In this case we have examined a very classic over-and-under dedicated to hunting, the Artemis model that gratifies the observer with its technical prerogatives together with those of appearance: the latter are in our opinion accentuated by the bore adopted, the 20/76 (or 20 Magnum 3 ”) where the smaller barrel section and the receiver with specific size give it greater momentum and elegance. The concept of the shotgun is the traditional Gardonese one that combines practicality of execution, low costs and guaranteed yield: the 18 NiCrMo5 steel action frame is machined on the tool or, where preferable, by electro-erosion, on numerically controlled machines. In this way, the blind mortises of the two paired rear tenons are obtained with undoubted value of structural resistance and aesthetics since the thickness of the back remains intact, the internal contrasting crossbar with a consistent thickness, the seats of the half-pins and the cams for the primary extraction of the cases, the longitudinal seat for the sliding of the levers for mounting the batteries and the activation of the ejectors, the turn of the hinge on which the crosshead placed in the shaft insists with the right friction: the draft is very well calibrated to guarantee the longevity of the weapon. In the face there are holes for the passage of the bushed strikers and with their own return spring. The external appearance is very successful with the double round breasts highlighted by the thin polished ribbon that goes down creating the lateral reinforcement and emphasizing the rocker board; he then draws a round arch behind the semi-external part of the hinge ending in the two raised creases on the back. The false side folders give a more important image and, in this example, host a greater wealth of hand-finished Renaissance-style ornamentation. The single-piece opening key with the pin has a slender and convex body with an elongated round button of undoubted elegance: it is mounted well adherent to the upper side of the receiver at the apex of which the safety slide is inserted with the button of the firing selector: the fixed package of the trigger group sees here the single trigger system, but you can also have the traditional double trigger, with a burnished steel guard with a valuable oval that recalls the style of the masters from across the Channel.
The barrels obtained from C42 steel bars are joined with the breech monobloc and welded with low melting point alloy: externally very well pulled with homogeneous and deep burnishing, they are 71 cm long with the alternative of 67 cm or other sizes on request , internally chromed, equipped with an upper rib with long jumpers with directly fixed skirting boards, without sub-rib, round brass front sight. You can have fixed chokes or have, with a supplement, the 5 interchangeable chokes in the classic sizes. The automatic ejectors with spring and release device inserted in the sides of the monobloc are fitted as standard.
The high-class veined walnut stock, finished in oil, makes a fine show thanks also to a careful processing that sees a correct recess and classic lines related to the style and taste of the shotgun: the head in which the action is inserted raised side mirrors and flattened edge around the long folders, handle with rounded pistol of the Prince of Wales type or, on request, in the English style, wooden recoil pad. The rod denotes a prismatic section with refined connecting curves of the profiles, barely hinted and very elegant upper grip shells, a beveled apex in which the release button with pump mechanism is inserted. The very dense and well-raised diamond checkering ensures a secure grip even with wet hands.
The rifle weighs about 2800 g in the 20/76 caliber and 3100 g in the 12/76 caliber: it is also produced in the 16/70 caliber, a rediscovery of the past that is enjoying good success both in Italy and abroad, especially in England where it is back in vogue with significant numbers. It is also worth noting that the small calibers 28/70 and .410 Mg are offered in the rounded action model called Small Action. always of course with specific measures: therefore extremely graceful, light and easy to handle guns for a fully satisfying use.