Rizzini Grand Regal 28-bore

Mike Yardley is impressed by this pretty gun from the Italian maker, which is particularly well engraved and balanced. Missing little, he declares it one of the best 28-bores he has tested

THIS month’s test looks at a 30in B Rizzini ‘Grand Regal’ 28-bore. I must admit a bias before proceeding: I am great fan of 30in 28-bore over-and-unders and use two myself. I am also a fan of Battista Rizzini’s guns. He is an important figure in modern Brescian gunmaking. He has developed a major industrial concern at Marcheno, making full use of high tech but, unusually, he has also developed the benchcraft capability of his works, bringing in new talent through acquisition of other firms.

Edward King, who has imported Rizzini guns through ASI of Snape since 2010, notes: “Rizzini are in a great position now because they have invested significantly in recent years bringing nearly all the gunmaking process under their own roof. Their guns, although principally made by machine and making full use of the latest CNC and laser techniques, are never far away from a time-served gunsmith’s hands.”

The test gun, presented as an extra finish model, weighs in just under 7lb (not light for a 28). Built on a dedicated action, it is a much evolved version of a distinctly