Connecticut Shotgun Mfg. RBL Launch Edition 28″ 20 GA Side by Side Shotgun, MFD 2005-10
SOLD FOR: $3,887
LSB#: 200110JR01
Make: Connecticut Shotgun Mfg. Co. / Galazan
Model: RBL Launch Edition
Serial Number: RBL001564
Year of Manufacture: 2005-2010
Gauge: 20 Gauge 2 3/4″ Shells, included are Briley .410 sub-gauge tubes for 2 1/2″ shells.
Action Type: Boxlock Side-by-Side SXS, Top Break, Single Selective Trigger Shotgun with Ejectors
Markings: The top of the right barrel is marked “CONNECTICUT SHOTGUN MFG. NEW BRITAIN CT. U.S.A.”, the top of the left is marked “RBL LAUNCH EDITION 20ga. 2 3/4”, each chamber and the top-rear of the rib have a foliate scroll motif. The left barrel flat is mraked “1564”, the right “RBL / PROOF”. The water table is marked “RBL001564” and “MADE IN USA MODEL RBL / CONNECTIC SHOTGUN MFG. / NEW BRITAIN, CONN.”, the top tang is marked “RBL001564”, the bottom of the trigger plate is marked “RBL” on banner. The receiver, trigger plate, guard and lever have beautiful foliate scroll engraving with fine matting in the negative spaces.
Barrel Length: 28”, Solid-Rib, the sub-gauge tubes are 27 1/2″ and sit 1/2 recessed from the muzzle.
Choke: The barrels are threaded for RBL choke tubes with Skeet installed on both barrels. Also included are Full, Modified, Improved Modified, and Improved Cylinder. The Briley sub-gauge tubes are threaded for Briley S-52 choked with Improved Skeet installed on the left (.407) and Skeet on the right (.410) with both tubes marked with a bore of .414.
Sights / Optics: There is a white bead at the front of the rib and a smaller silver-colored mid-bead.
Weight: 6 lb., 6.1 oz. without tubes installed, 7 lb., 2.4 oz. with tubes installed.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The stocks are two-piece checkered select black American walnut with beavertail forend, straight grip, straight comb and solid black rubber Galazan buttpad. The stocks have only a few scattered minor compressions with a knot on the left of the buttstock which has a few shallow grain-lines in the surface around its edges. The checkering is sharp. There are no chips or cracks. The LOP measures 14 3/4″ from the front of the trigger to the back of the pad, 14 1/4″ to the back of the wood. The pad has no notable wear or damage. Drop at comb is approximately 1 1/2″, drop at heel 2 3/8″. The cast is about neutral. Overall, the stocks are in about Excellent condition.
Type of Finish: Blue & French Gray
Finish Originality: Original
Bore Condition: The bores are bright, including the sub-gauge tubes. There is no erosion in the bores.
Overall Condition: This shotgun retains about 98% of its metal finish. The barrels, forend iron and receiver have very light operational wear on the bearing surfaces, concealed when assembled. Otherwise, there are only light handling marks. The screw heads are sharp. The markings are clear. Overall, this shotgun is in Excellent condition.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly including the ejectors. The ejectors also function with the sub-gauge tubes installed. The barrels lock up with no play to the receiver. We have not fired this shotgun. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance standards.
Box, Paperwork & Accessories: This shotgun comes in a gold-colored canvas hard-sided luggage case with leather bolsters, brass locking latch with key, English-style leather straps, maroon felt interior with “CONNECTICUT SHOTGUN MFG. CO. / NEW BRITAIN, CONNECTICUT / RBL / LAUCH EDITION” label with Galazan seal. The interior of the case has compartments for the barrel assembly with storage for a wood cleaning rod under the barrels, receiver assembly with wrist-strap, snap caps, and other accessories. Accessories include the cleaning rods, bore brush and mop, snap-caps (both 20 and 410), CSMC RBL marked oil bottle, CSMC RBL marked leather snap-top choke case with wrench, serrated black hard rubber buttplate with “1564” hand-written on the inside, ear plugs in RBL CSMC marked screw-top alloy carry case, CSMC RBL marked shooting glasses, and manual. The accessories are in Excellent condition. The case has minor storage wear, in about Fine-Excellent condition.
Our Assessment: Tony Galazan, the founder of Connecticut Shotgun Mfg., is a tireless perfectionist with a passion for making the finest gun possible. It shows in their products such as this RBL Launch Edition with its gorgeous black American walnut stocks, french grayed receiver and intricate foliate scroll engraving. These shotguns aren’t just meant to be pretty, though, they’re meant to be fired. Every operation in the production of their guns takes place at their New Britain production facility, giving them control of the quality of every aspect of the gun’s construction. All of CSM’s production crew test-fire their guns during the construction process, ensuring that the gun is fit perfectly, functions flawlessly and the craftsmen have an intimate understanding of how a gun should feel for its user. The RBL was designed by examining several other successful side by side shotgun designs with the final product incorporating a double bridged action, a removable hinge pin, a special dog bone locking bolt, and other features that make the RBL truly unique. Chambered for 20 gauge with 28″ barrels and an assortment of chokes, not to mention the included Briley .410 sub-gauge tubes which are also threaded for removable chokes, this is going to be a wonderful gun for everything from pheasant dove and qail to challenging yourself on the Skeet field with a gun that will turn heads. With a nice case for transport, factory accessories and function matched only by the beauty of its form, this shotgun will be the pride of any collection and should make for a fine piece for hunting or sporting that will be the envy of all who see it. Please see our photos and good luck!