Factory Signed, Engraved, and Gold Inlaid Renato Gamba Ambassador Double Barrel Shotgun

This finely built Mannlicher Mod. Ambassador by Renato Gamba is an elegant Italian sidelock shotgun with strong collector appeal, combining premium construction, ornate engraving, documented 1980 Italian proofing, and beautifully figured wood in a highly refined sporting configuration. It features blued steel chopperlump barrels with a single white bead sight on a matted flat tapered solid rib, marked “MANNLICHER.MOD.AMBASSADOR/MADE IN ITALY” on the left tube and “BY RENATO GAMBA” on the right, with a single gold band at the breech, 1980-dated Italian proof marks, an import mark under the forend, and 2 3/4-inch chambers with automatic ejectors. The barrels are fitted to a coin-finished sidelock action displaying near full-coverage, deeply cut floral scroll engraving, with bestial heads worked into the center of spiraling vinework; the underside presents a trio of bestial grotesque masks beneath “RENATO GAMBA/ARMI” in a banner, and the gun is signed “Lajdiui” on the triggerplate to the right of the trigger guard. The engraving continues across the pierced toplever, both tangs, and the trigger guard, giving the gun a cohesive, exhibition-quality appearance. Desirable features include bushed firing pins, a single trigger, right-hand rolled trigger guard, cocking indicators, and a tang-mounted manual safety. The furniture is equally impressive, with a beautifully figured, multi-point checkered semi-beavertail forend with engraved iron and an Anson button release, paired with a straight-hand stock showing matching figure, multi-point checkering, teardrop-carved drop points, and a checkered bare butt. Barrel and stock measurements, right/left where applicable, are: bore diameter nine inches from the breech proofed on both barrels at 18.4 mm (.724 inches) and measured at .728 inches, choke constriction .018/.036 inches, minimum wall thickness .025/.027 inches, 1 7/16-inch drop at comb, 2 1/2-inch drop at heel, 14 13/16-inch length of pull, and weight of 7 lbs. 3 oz. With its Renato Gamba maker’s markings, Ambassador model designation, rich coin-finished engraving, gold breech accent, quality chopperlump barrels, and graceful straight-hand stock, this is a distinctive and highly attractive Italian fine gun worthy of a serious sporting arms collection.