Fausti: The Most Famous Name in Shotguns You've Never Heard Of set their sights on the American market. Photo courtesy of Fausti Stefano S.R.L. There has
been a glut of shotguns in the marketplace, primarily O/U models. Over the last
several years, it has been difficult for some manufacturers to gain any
identity or name recognition on their own. For various and sundry reasons,
importers and manufacturers persist in re-badging and re-namplating shotguns
under their own brand, opting to move boxes the contents of which change like
underwear. There are all kinds of examples of this. If it
sounds confusing, it is only because it is. SKB has recently gone under. SKB never achieved any real identity, having been imported
by Ithaca and more recently by Weatherby. The current Weatherby
stackbarrels are made by Fausti Stefano. The Mossberg SA-20 is a
Turkish gas gun, made by Armsan. Armsan is defined as a collaboration between
Khan and ATA, both Turkish manufacturers. Khan is the maker of the nasty
Mossberg Silver Reserve stackbarrels. Charles Daly, a brand of K.B.I., has
recently gone south as K.B.I. has folded. The fine Remington Premiers that were manufactured by Sabatti are no longer marketed. Every
year, various liquidator outlets blow out piles of these guns. It might be a
good thing for you if you know what you are looking for. Often, you will find
yourself with a variable or non-existent warranty, but that should be expected
at any fire sale. When it comes to Fausti shotguns, you might be more familiar
with the “Fausti by Traditions” guns that were imported some five years ago, Franchi Highlander S x S models,
discontinued Marlin L.C. Smith relabeled Fausti models or the current Weatherby
D'Italia shotguns. The practice
of relabeled guns guns is hardly new. Sears, J.C. Penny, Western Auto and other
stores have long done it. There is a section in the Blue Book devoted to
decoding the old rebranded guns. The process was simple. Sears goes out for
bids on 20,000 pump guns to their specs, for example. Bids came in from High
Standard, Winchester and various other suppliers. Low price generally wins and
in come the guns. Sears distributes them, makes the most significant money from
them and Sears (or whoever)
provides the service and warranty the way they choose. OEM's cannot and do not
provide warranty or service unless that is included in the contract with the
retailer or distributor. This should be self-evident to today's American
consumer. Over 90% of all product sold by Walmart is made in China. Has anyone
ever sent a product to China directly for repair or replacement? So it has been
with Fausti in the United States, having been hidden beneath other brands and
companies for too long. After
this admittedly wordy introduction, it is time to get to Fausti and the fairly
new company, Fausti USA. Fausti Stefano has been around since 1948, making far
more shotguns than most think. One of the problems with the Fausti reputation
is that, when functioning as an OEM, shotguns are produced to the
specifications and price points set by the American importer, distributor, or
retailer. In the case of past examples by American Arms or Traditions, what is
being ordered by the importer is an entry-level, extremely low price point
firearm, often with cast parts. It is hardly a reflection of what the
capabilities of the manufacturer truly are, just what can be done given the parameters
of "as cheap as possible." When the association is made with a
company with a very poor reputation, such as Traditions, some of the negativity
tends to rub off. That's where Fausti Stefano has been for many years, without
an identity or strong presence of their own in the United States. That is
changing with the formation of Fausti USA. Fausti Stefano, founded by the late Stefano Fausti and now operated by his daughters, has long been
capable of making high quality, finely finished O/U and side-by-side shotguns.
Their O/U models are built on the familiar Italian Guild action closely associated with
the Brescia region, while their side-by-sides are of the proven Anson and Deeley
boxlock design. Levels of
polish, engraving, walnut and finish increase with price. For those aficionados
seeking a 16 gauge on a 16 gauge frame with 16 gauge barrels, Fausti has it.
The same is true of their “real” 28 gauge shotguns. With the establishment of
Fausti USA, cleverly located at http://www.faustiusa.com, Fausti now has their
own ability to perform customization and warranty work under their own name.
While Fausti cannot be expected to assume the legacy of defunct or former
distributors' guns, they will offer parts and service for rebranded guns. Their
primary purpose to provide dealer and customer support for those that take
advantage of genuine Fausti USA products. Unlike
many, many brands of shotguns, Fausti is more than a brand, a trademark, or a
cardboard box. It is a true manufacturer of fine shotguns in Brescia, Italy,
with modern equipment, some forty full-time employees and in house abilities
for fine woodwooking, engraving, machining, design, and testing. That makes all
the difference in the world and it looks like now folks will finally become
aware of it. Craig Johnson and Joe Cunniffe are heading things up at Fausti USA, located in Fredericksburg, Virginia. I've recently chatted with Craig on the phone and have met with Giovanna, Director of Sales and Marketing in the U.S. and Western Europe, several times over the years, always a pleasant experience. It looks like it is finally Fausti's turn to shine. |
Copyright 2010, 2016 by Randy Wakeman. All rights reserved.
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