Weatherby Fausti Athena D’Italia 28 GA 26″ F/IM SXS Side by Side Shotgun
SOLD FOR: $2,200.00
LSB#: LSB260429JR043
Make: Weatherby, made by Fausti in Italy
Model: Athena d’Italia
Serial Number: FS1062
Year of Manufacture: 2005 (BZ date code)
Gauge: 28 Gauge, 2 3/4” Shells
Action Type: Boxlock Side-by-Side Shotgun with Dual Triggers and Individual Ejectors
Markings: The left barrel in front of the chamber is marked “28 GA 2 ¾” / MADE IN ITALY” and the bottom-left at the chamber is marked “28/70”. The right barrel in front of the chamber is marked “Weatherby ATHENA D’ITALIA / ATASCADERO, CA”. The bottom of the left barrel is marked “CAM. 70”, “13.9”, and with an Italian proof. The bottom of the right barrel is marked “KG1.170”, “14” and with an Italian proof. The right barrel flat is marked with a proof mark, “BZ” in square date code and with the serial number. The top of the forend iron is marked with the serial number and the top of the forend is marked with the last three digits of the serial. The left bottom flat of the barrel is marked “FS” in oval. The water table’s right lug is marked with “FS” in oval, the left with the serial number. The bottom of the receiver is marked “Weatherby”. The bottom of the trigger guard is marked with a gold-filled script “W”. The receiver has full coverage rose and scroll engraving. The bottom tang is marked “Designed by C. Giovanelli”.
Barrel Length: 26”
Choke: Left: Full, Right: Improved Modified, Both Fixed
Sights / Optics: The sight is a brass bead fixed to the front of the solid, finely checkered rib.
Weight: 6 lb
Stock Configuration & Condition: The stocks are New Scottish skip-line checkered select walnut with an oiled finish, splinter forend, English straight stock, straight comb and solid black rubber buttpad. The stocks have only a few scattered minor marks, almost all in the belly and comb. The checkering is sharp with a few nicked peaks. There are no chips or cracks. The LOP measures 14 3/8” and 13 3/8” from the fronts of the triggers to the back of the rubber butt pad. Drop at comb is approximately 1 1/4″, drop at heel 2″. The cast is about neutral. The pad has light wear at the heel and toe. Overall, the stocks are in about Excellent condition.
Type of Finish: Blued with Coin Receiver
Finish Originality: Original
Bore Condition: The bores are bright. There is no erosion. In this writer’s opinion the bore rates a 9.5 out of 10″.
Overall Condition: This shotgun retains about 99% of its metal finish. The balance of the finish shows little to no wear. There are a few faint scratches on the barrels. The screw heads are sharp and the markings are clear except for the date code. Overall, this shotgun rates in about Excellent condition.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. The lockup produces no play between the barrel and 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 combination lock black hard-sided Weatherby marked Negrini case with paperwork including the manual. The case has minor storage wear, mainly from the interior from contact with the action, in about Fine condition.
Our Assessment: The Weatherby Athena d’Italia is a handsome Italian-made side-by-side shotgun made by Fausti for Weatherby, with Weatherby’s Fausti-built side-by-side D’Italia line dating to the mid-2000s. This example was manufactured in 2005 by its BZ Italian date code and is configured as a 28 gauge boxlock with 26” barrels, 2 3/4” chambers, dual triggers, individual ejectors, fixed Full and Improved Modified chokes, solid finely checkered rib with brass bead sight, and full-coverage rose and scroll engraved coin-finished receiver. The English straight stock, splinter forend, skip-line checkered select walnut, gold-filled “W” on the trigger guard, and “Designed by C. Giovanelli” tang marking give it a refined upland-gun presentation.
This Athena d’Italia is in Excellent condition overall, retaining about 99% of its metal finish with little wear beyond a few faint scratches on the barrels. The select walnut stocks also rate in Excellent condition, showing only a few minor marks, mostly at the belly and comb, with sharp checkering, a few nicked peaks, and no chips or cracks. The bores are bright with no erosion and rate 9.5 out of 10 in this writer’s opinion. The action functions correctly, the individual ejectors operate properly, and the lockup is tight with no play between the barrels and receiver. This shotgun comes in a Weatherby-marked Negrini combination-lock hard case with paperwork/manual, making it a desirable and well-preserved 28 gauge Italian SxS for Weatherby collectors, upland hunters, and shooters looking for a light, elegant small-bore field gun. Please see our photos for a better understanding of the condition and good luck with your bids! -N.P