Current Auction
FAMARS, or Fabbrica Armi d’Abbiatico e Salvinelli, is an Italian gunmaker that manufactures bespoke shotguns and rifles. The company is best known for its patented detachable-lock designs and handcrafted woodwork and engraving. FAMARS is considered one of the top Italian gun manufacturers.
The name FAMARS is an acronym for Fabbrica Armi di Mario Abbiatico e Remo Salvinelli (Arms Fabrications of Mario Abbiatico and Remo Salvinelli).
In 1967, Mario Abbiatico and Remo Salvinelli became part of the famous Gardone Val Trompia gun tradition when they founded FAMARS. Both the Salvinelli and the Abbiatico families had history in the craft going back several generations. Remo’s father, Felice Salvinelli, was an engraver in Brescia, where he first met Mario’s father, Giuseppe Abbiatico, who was an actioner.
Initially, the company focused on smallbore shotguns ranging in quality and decoration. American businessman Joe Bojalad, a gun connoisseur and collector influenced the two founders to specialize in the fine gun category. In 1967, Bojalad was referred to FAMARS by another Italian gun manufacturer named Beretta. His request was an over/under shotgun with interchangeable barrels, adorned with engraving art. Upon receiving his first FAMARS gun, Bojalad was so impressed that he placed several more orders and became a lifelong client of Abbiatico and Salvinelli. In 1975 Mario and Remo, considering the advice of Bojalad, made the decision to focus solely on bespoke guns. Each gun produced thereafter was a bespoke gun bearing the name ‘Abbiatico & Salvinelli’ and a unique serial number.
The move to specialize in bespoke shotguns stimulated much innovation within the FAMARS factory in the following years. Inspired by Mario’s fascination with hammerguns, the Castore was created — the first-ever self-cocking hammer gun with a single trigger and automatic ejectors.The success and popularity of the Castore model prompted several other arms manufacturers to attempt imitations. In the late 1970s, shortly after the development of the Castore, FAMARS released the Quattrocanne, an original four-barrel model that fires with a single trigger. A limited run of only 30 guns were made, one of which is showcased in the historical Beretta Gallery in Italy, making FAMARS the only outside manufacturer to be shown within the gun gallery.
The next major innovation was the development of the Jorema, a Boss-style over/under shotgun that used a pinless sidelock design patented by Remo Salvinelli. This model drew on input from FAMARS’ long-time client Joe Bojalad. It incorporated several patented features. The Jorema concept would eventually evolve into the company’s flagship model, the Sovereign.
In the early 1980s, Mario and Remo released the Tribute, a side-by-side built with a detachable boxlock. The design was inspired by the Westley Richards side-by-side. This was the final model that Mario Abbiatico designed before he fell sick with cancer in 1984. From the late 1980s into the 2000s (decade), with Cristina Abbiatico now in charge, FAMARS would release several new models, including the most popular Excalibur, the Poseidon, and most recently, the Leonardo.
Call now to arrange a personal viewing or email gord@gtaauctions.com.
Abbiatico & Salvinelli Venere Lusso
Opening Bid: $25,000
(Bidding will continue for 4 months unless the buy it now price is paid)
Buy It Now: $30,000
Manufactured 1986. Engraved by Master Engraver Angelo Galeazzi (Diana of the Hunt) Signed 3 places.
Born in 1931 in Castegnato, Italy, Maestro Galaezzi was a leading light among contemporary Italian gun engravers and was one of the pioneers of what is commonly called the bulino technique of fine and highly detailed scenes and figures. Along with game scenes, Angelo was one of the earliest gun artists to engrave Diana and other neoclassical motifs on guns.
Abbiatico & Salvinelli 28 Bore
Opening Bid: $20,000
(Bidding will continue for 4 months unless the buy it now price is paid)
Buy It Now: $27,500
LOP 14 ½” to single trigger. Vent rib. Drop at heal 1 ¼” x 2 ½” cast off.
Sabatti engraved. Choked Cyl and Skeet. Manufactured 1986.
The Sabatti family has worked in the arms sector, passing on all the acquired experiences from one generation to the next. Nothing has been lost, and it is experience that gives Sabatti guns the quality that every shooter desires.
The company has grown a lot since the postwar period. Sabatti shotguns are continually improving and their quality is more and more responsive to the expectations of customers all over the world. Thanks to all this, Sabatti has conquered an important role in the global sporting gun industry.
Abbiatico & Salvinelli Rombo
Opening Bid: $25,000
(Bidding will continue for 4 months unless the buy it now price is paid)
Buy It Now: $32,500
410 bore. 4 27” barrels break action. Single trigger. LOP 14 ½” to trigger. Drop 1 ¼” x 2 ½” cast off.
Sabatti engraved. Manufactured 1976. Choked Cyl., Cyl., Full and Mod.
Beretta S3EL
Opening Bid: $8,500
(Bidding will continue for 4 months unless the buy it now price is paid)
Buy It Now: $10,500
12 bore 30” barrels. LOP 14 ½” to single trigger. Vent rib. Drop 1 ¼”x 2 ½” cast off. Manufactured 1974.
Abbiatico & Salvinelli Castore Hammer Gun
SOLD
(Bidding will continue for 4 months unless the buy it now price is paid)
SOLD
12 bore 29 ½” barrels. LOP 14 ¼” to front trigger. Top tang safety. Choked Full and Mod. Engraved by Angelo Galeazzi. Manufactured 1974.
Call now to arrange a personal viewing or email gord@gtaauctions.com.
You may have a very valuable piece worthy of our advanced silent auction service. To qualify, your firearm must have a value in excess of $5,000.
