Feast your eyes on two lovely shotguns made by one of Italy’s most respected gunmakers.
Bellissimo! What else can you say when you look at a pair of Italian-made shotguns as eye-catching as the ones above?
These two beauties—Fausti’s Dea Upland SLX side-by-side and Class Upland SLX over/under–are standouts in the Fausti Arms Boutique line. All of the shotguns in this line are characterized by refined finishes, intricate engravings, and stocks made with selected woods—classy touches that add high-end elegance to the solid quality and reliability that underlie every Fausti shotgun. One hundred percent made in Italy, these guns are the embodiment of precision workmanship and the latest gunmaking technology.
First, a little background on the maker of these lovely doubles. Fausti Arms is headquartered in Italy’s Val Trompia Valley, a region that has been known for centuries as the “Valley of the Gun.” Largely because of the rich iron deposits in this part of the southern Alps, it was here that some of the world’s first modern firearms were built. After World War II, a young gunmaker named Stefano Fausti began designing and building custom firearms in his small shop in the valley. His handmade firearms were among the best of the many gunmakers in the region, and by 1948 he started his own company, which is not only still going strong after more than three-quarters of a century, but is also still owned and run by the Fausti family.
Company president Giovanna Fausti cites three major aspects that set Fausti shotguns apart from the competition. First, its over/under shotguns are built on a proprietary “Four Locks” action system. Second, every gun Fausti makes incorporates an action and frame that is scaled to the specific gauge. Third, all components on every Fausti shotgun are machined from a solid block of steel, which gives these guns exceptional strength and absolute reliability.
Fausti has a broad product line—more than thirty models– at a variety of price points. Although every gun is built to the same exacting standards of quality and reliability, the higher-end guns in the company’s Boutique line are luxury-level guns with superior stocks and engraving, such as the two doubles featured here. There are two prongs to the Boutique line: some Boutique guns can be purchased off the shelf from a dealer and are usually available the same day; or, for shooters who want a more customized shotgun, Boutique guns can be ordered with customized stocks, finishes, and engraving.
Fortunately for those of us on this side of the pond, Fausti also has a robust presence in America. The Fausti USA headquarters in Fredericksburg, Virginia, provides a base that allows the company to serve its US dealer network and provide after-sales assistance to US customers.
The Over/Under
The Class Upland SLX over/under embodies all the distinctive elements of Fausti’s Boutique line of over/unders. Available in 12, 16, and 20 gauge, each built on its own dedicated action frame, as well as in 28-gauge and .410-bore, which share the same proportions, all of these guns are perfectly balanced for easy carrying in the field. The long sideplates feature hand-engraved artwork, and there are two finishes to choose from: coin finish or color-case-hardened.
The barrels are offered in a range of lengths from 26.5 to 30 inches, either with fixed or interchangeable chokes. Chromed internally and finished with a deep, uniform black burnishing, the barrels are strong and true. The automatic extractors ensure optimal expulsion of the spent cases and gently lift the cartridges contained in the chamber if it is necessary to unload the shotgun without having fired them.
The seal between the barrels and the action is entrusted to the exclusive Four Locks locking system, which guarantees reliability and durability over time even when subjected to intense and prolonged use. This system ties the barrel and receiver together via a Purdey-style underbolt that engages both bottom barrel hinges. In addition, twin action projections engage the barrel breech, one on each side. Machined from a solid bar of steel, this system creates an incredibly strong action.
The stock of the Class Upland SLX is made of select oil-finished walnut. The grip can be customized with a choice of English, pistol, or Prince of Wales style. The fore-end is splinter-style with an auget release. It features fine-pitch hand-checkering that offers a secure and comfortable grip. Average weight of these guns ranges from 6.2 pounds for the .410 to 7.3 pounds for the 12-gauge version.
The Side-by-Side
Dea is the Italian word for “goddess,” and it is an apt name for this superbly built side-by-side. The elegant long sideplates that characterize the Dea Upland SLX are offered in a choice of two finishes, silver (also called French grayed) or color-case-hardened, and these are hand-engraved with a gamebird in flight surrounded by a light ornamentation. The Fausti logo, restyled in silver and placed on the trigger guard and on the opening key, is a distinctive stylistic element specific to this side-by-side.
Like other Fausti side-by-sides, this model features a modified Anson & Deeley-style boxlock mechanism. These actions are beautifully proportioned with scaled receivers, available in 12-, 16-, 20-, 28-gauge, and .410. The 12-, 16-, and 20-gauge guns feature a splinter forearm, while the 28-gauge and .410 are built with a semi-beavertail forearm that ensures a more secure grip with the thinner barrels of the sub-gauge guns.
The single, non-selectable trigger is protected by a long trigger guard that curves rearward to the English-style straight stock. The stock is select high-grade oil-finished walnut, ending with a full rubber butt plate. Barrel lengths from 26.5 to 30 inches are available, and these guns range in weight from an easy-carrying 4.95 pounds in the 28-gauge to 6.8 pounds in the 12-gauge.
Quality Italian double guns–those built to exacting standards on modern machines with exquisite styling represent the pinnacle of the gunmaker’s art. After nearly eight decades of building guns, Fausti knows its business. These two shotguns are proof that precision workmanship based on the latest technology, high-end materials, attention to detail, and skilled craftsmanship can give life to shotguns that are solid and reliable as well as beautiful. They represent a synthesis of passion and ingenuity and make for ideal hunting companions that won’t let you down.
The Dea Upland SLX and the Class Upland SLX, like all of Fausti’s Boutique guns, can be purchased off-the-shelf at Fausti dealers, but if you want a little something extra, you can order them with upgrades like personalized engraving and custom stock fit. Naturally this comes at additional cost and takes a little extra time, but this is a great option for a shotgun made just for you. Either way, you’ll have a shotgun that is reliable, durable, and truly bellissimo. Find your nearest Fausti DIAMOND Dealer at faustiusa.com/official-dealers.php.
