A concerted effort that spanned Italy and the U.S. has produced a magnificent 20-gauge over/under from the workshops of Luciano Bosis and master engraver Stefano Pedretti to help fund research into the preservation of Southeastern bobwhite quail habitat by the Tall Timbers Research Station & Land Conservancy. Luciano Bosis of Brescia, Italy is among the most exclusive shotgun craftsmen in Europe, with his bespoke masterpieces often commanding prices in the vicinity of $100,000. Mr. Bosis specializes in over/unders and hammer guns that have been sold from a store in front of his house since the late 1970s. The Bosis Country is the lone side by side in his portfolio.
Fellow Italian Stefano Pedretti is the son of famed engraver Giancarlo Pedretti — the virtuoso in the art of bulino engraving that creates shockingly realistic images by cutting hundreds of thousands of tiny lines and dots in the metal. The Pedrettis’ studio is located in Brescia as well.
The “Tall Timbers Bobwhite Gun No. 1” was presented to the Tall Timbers Research Station & Land Conservancy at less than the cost of production. The generous discount underscored the commitment by Mr. Bosis and Mr. Pedretti to advance game bird conservation in America. Mr. Pedretti is an avid quail hunter with a history of pursuing bobwhites throughout the South.
On our side of the Atlantic, the “Tall Timbers Bobwhite Gun No. 1” came to life through the efforts of a team dedicated to the perpetuation of bobwhite quail habitat and game-gun excellence.
Dr. Bill Palmer, president and CEO of Tall Timbers Research, Inc., enlisted the assistance of friend, author and fine-gun authority Vic Venters to supervise the project. Mr. Venters recruited Dr. Elena Micheli-Lamboy, the primary translator to the Italian gun trade and co-author of four books with Steve Lamboy on Italian master engravers, including “Giancarlo and Stefano Pedretti: Master Engravers.”
Kevin Kelly, owner of Kevin’s Fine Outdoor Gear and Apparel in Thomasville, Georgia and Tallahassee, Florida, consulted with Mr. Venters. Mr. Kelly shared his invaluable experience with the plantation community. Mr. Venters explained that both men thought small but high-quality game scenes surrounded by lush English scroll would have the broadest appeal. They agreed that a conservative engraving style would help sell the “Tall Timbers Bobwhite Gun No. 1” at the highest possible price. Great story – read more….
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