Ivo Fabbri got his start in firearms along side another of the most highly regarded names in the business, Daniele Perazzi. After the two went their separate ways, Perazzi went on to build what are arguably the world's highest quality sporting guns, while Fabbri pursued his dream to build the finest guns in the world, a goal many would argue that he was able to achieve, with this pair being a shining example to that end. Fabbri only builds some 30 guns per year, each being hand crafted from the ground up by some of Italy's finest craftsmen, as such, pairs such as this do not often come up for sale to the public. Each gun in the set was built with blued steel 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, 1996 dated Italian proof marks on the flats, fixed chokes, and 2 3/4 inch chambers with automatic ejectors. The barrels of each gun are fitted to a an exceptionally attractive brushed finished pinless sidelock action displaying stunning "Majestic" engraving, reminiscent of the classic pieces of the European renaissance. The design shows wonderfully executed floral semi-relief scroll engraving erupting from the mouth of a reposed griffin on either lockplate with the negative space finely etched nearly black creating a rich depth of field and continuing onto the underside which bears the markings "IVO FABBRI/BRESCIA, ITALY" 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" behind the safe latch. Both guns are signed "Creative Art" to the right of the trigger for the world renowned engraving firms 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. The guns are both fitted with an exceptionally attractive well-figured and finely checkered forend with bright finished and engraved forend iron including the push button release which is inlaid with an engraved "1" or "2" as well as a round knob pistol grip stock with the initial "ASW" inlaid on the toe line and a fully checkered bare butt. Included with each gun is a matching numbered and engraved set of 28 inch 28 gauge barrels numbered with a gold "1" or "2" at the breech and on their respective matching engraved forends. Also included is a factory wood and leather takedown case for each gun along with its extra barrel set. This pair is consecutively serial numbered with one another as well as with the previous lot in this auction, another fine pair of Fabbri guns in 12 gauge. Barrel measurements for the 28 gauge set (U/O): bore diameter nine inches from the breech both proofed and measured 14.0mm (.551 inches); choke constriction .008/.011 inches; minimum wall thickness .028/.028 inches. Barrel and stock measurements for the 20 gauge set (U/O): bore diameter nine inches from the breech both proofed and measured at 16.0mm (.630 inches); choke constriction .023/.032 inches; minimum wall thickness .025/.024 inches; 1 3/8 inch drop at comb; 1 13/16 inch drop at heel; 13 7/8 inch length of pull; cast-off 1/8 inch; weight 6 lbs. 4 oz.

Excellent overall, retaining 99% original blue and brushed bright finishes with minor handling evidence and sharp checkering on the forend and stock. Mechanically excellent. The case is very fine with light transit wear and the 28 gauge barrel set is excellent.

As described in "A". Barrel measurements for the 28 gauge set (U/O): bore diameter nine inches from the breech both proofed and measured 14.0mm (.551 inches); choke constriction .008/.010 inches; minimum wall thickness .028/.028 inches. Barrel and stock measurements for the 20 gauge set (U/O): bore diameter nine inches from the breech both proofed and measured at 16.0mm (.630 inches); choke constriction .025/.034 inches; minimum wall thickness .023/.022 inches; 1 3/8 inch drop at comb; 1 13/16 inch drop at heel; 13 15/16 inch length of pull; cast-off 1/8 inch; weight 6 lbs. 5 oz.

Excellent overall, retaining 99% original blue and brushed bright finishes with minor handling evidence, slight blemishes in the wood finish at the left of the toe, and sharp checkering on the stock and forend. Mechanically excellent. The case is very fine and the 28 gauge barrel set is excellent. This is a rare chance to own a highly desirable set of fine Italian guns from one of the world's top makers, do not let this chance pass you by!