Ivo Fabbri began his career in firearms along side one of the most well-known names in the business, Daniele Perazzi. After they split, Perazzi went on to create arguably the world's finest sporting guns, and Fabbri pursued his dream to build the finest guns in the world, with this pair being the embodiment of that goal. Fabbri only builds some 30 guns a year, each is hand crafted from the ground up by some of Italy's finest craftsmen, as such pairs such as this are not commonly available for public sale. Each gun was built with blued barrels featuring a single nickel bead sight on the file cut matted flat solid rib which is inlaid at the breech with a gold "1" or "2", "IVO FABBRI - BRESCIA-" marked on the left of the upper barrel and "VACUUM ARC REMELTING STEEL" on the right, a band of engraving at the breech, 1995 dated Italian proof marks, fixed chokes, and 2 3/4 inch chambers with automatic ejectors. The barrels of each gun are fitted to a gorgeous brush bright finished action which displays absolutely "Majestic" fantasy engraving, bringing to mind many classic works of art from Europe's renaissance. The design consists of beautifully executed floral scroll engraving erupting from the mouth of a reposed griffin on either lockplate with the negative space finely etched creating a rich depth of field and continuing onto the underside which bears the markings "IVO FABBRI/BRESCIA, ITALY" in gold inlay over a Maltese cross in a shield along with a pair of angels emerging from either side of a bouquet in front of the triggerguard. The engraving continues onto the toplever, triggerguard and both tangs, the upper of which is inlaid with a gold "1" or "2", and the lower which bears the serial number inlaid in gold. Both guns are signed "Creative Art" for the world renowned engraving firm started by Italian master engravers Giacomo Fausti, Ugo Talenti, Giovanni Steduto, Valerio Peli, and Armando Piardi. While this gun was masterfully engraved by the artists at Creative Art, this engraving theme has been used by various Italian engravers and makers, with one very similar interpretation of the theme being pictured on page 545 of "Fucili D'Autore" by Nobli. The guns feature a single non-selective trigger and a tang mounted automatic safety with gold inlaid "SAFE" indicator. The guns are both fitted with an exceptionally attractive well-figured and multi-point checkered forend with bright finished and engraved forend iron including the push button release which is inlaid with a gold "1" or "2" as well as a round knob pistol grip stock with the initials "ASW" inlaid in gold directly into the wood ahead of the toe and a fully checkered bare butt. Included is lightweight motorcase that houses both guns containing three screwdrivers. This pair is consecutively serial numbered with one another as well as with the following lot in this auction, another fine pair of Fabbri guns. Barrel and stock measurements (U/O): bore diameter nine inches from the breech both proofed and measured at 18.4mm (.724 inches); choke constriction .015/.031 inches; minimum wall thickness .031/.029 inches; 1 7/16 inch drop at comb; 1 15/16 inch drop at heel; 13 7/8 inch length of pull; cast-off 1/8 inch; weight 7 lbs. 4 oz.

Excellent overall, retaining 99% original blue and brush bright finishes with minor handling evidence, a few minor pressure marks on the stock, and sharp checkering on the stock and forend. Mechanically excellent. The case is very fine.

As described in "A". Barrel and stock measurements (U/O): bore diameter nine inches from the breech both proofed and measured at 18.4mm (.724 inches); choke constriction .016/.030 inches; minimum wall thickness .029/.030 inches; 1 7/16 inch drop at comb; 1 15/16 inch drop at heel; 13 7/8 inch length of pull; cast-off /8 inch; weight 7 lbs. 4 oz.

Excellent overall, retaining 99% original blue and brushed bright finishes with minor handling evidence, a few minor dings in the finish on the wood at the left of the stock, and sharp checkering on the stock and forend. Mechanically excellent. Do not miss out on this fleeting opportunity to own a pair from one of Italy's finest makers!