Bernardelli Italia Extra

About the Bernardelli Italia Extra

The Bernardelli Italia Extra is a best-grade external-hammer side-by-side double-barrel break-action shotgun built by the Italian gunmaker Vincenzo Bernardelli of Gardone Val Trompia. It is the upgraded, finely engraved grade of the traditional Italia hammer gun, a classic English-style game gun that uses Purdey bolt locking, exposed hammers with a half-cock safety rather than a manual sliding safety, and twin triggers. Chambered in 12, 16 and 20 gauge with 2.75-inch (and optional 3-inch) shells, the Italia Extra carries a select straight-grip English walnut stock, hand-engraved sideplates, and fixed chokes of full or half as standard, with other choke and configuration options available on request. Light and traditional in handling at roughly 2.8 to 3.2 kilograms depending on gauge, it was aimed at the sportsman seeking a nostalgic exposed-hammer field gun of the highest finish.

Vincenzo Bernardelli founded his gunmaking business in Gardone Val Trompia in 1865 and built a reputation for fine side-by-side game guns. The exposed-hammer Italia, and its best-grade Italia Extra, kept alive the nostalgic external-hammer game gun long after most makers had moved to hammerless boxlocks, becoming a status symbol for traditional-minded hunters until the historic firm closed in 2017.

Bernardelli Italia Extra specifications

The Italia Extra is the higher-finish grade of Bernardelli's exposed-hammer Italia line, distinguished by finer walnut and more elaborate engraving over the standard Italia. The Italia was offered in 12, 16 and 20 gauge with 2.75-inch and 3-inch chambers; barrels use fixed full/half chokes as standard. Production ended when Vincenzo Bernardelli ceased firearms operations in 2017.