Rare Cosmi Long-Recoil 12 Ga Semi-Auto Shotgun C&R

SOLD FOR: $4,776.00
LSB#: 
190201SW06

Make: Cosmi

Model: Fucile (gun)

Serial Number: 3155

Year of Manufacture: 1966 (XXII date code)

Gauge: 12 gauge

Action Type: Long-Recoil, Semi-Automatic, Tubular Magazine Fed Shotgun

Markings: The left of the upper receiver is marked “FUCILE COSMI BREVETTATO – TORRETTE DI ANCONA MADE IN ITALY”. The top of the barrel to the left of the rib is marked “ACCIAIO BOEHLER ANTINIT”. The bottom of the barrel, above the recoil spring, is marked “3155”, with three Italian proofs and “XXII” date code. The serial number or portions of it are also marked on the front face of the upper receiver, the bottom-rear of the upper receiver in front of the rear locking lug, the front face of the mount for the bolt-catch lug, the right face of the bolt’s operating lever, the inside of the forend, the top of the forend iron, the forend mounting screw housing, the left shoulder of the lower receiver, the front face of the magazine tube housing, the right face of the hammer, sear and trigger, and the left face of the lifter actuator arm. It is possible that more parts are marked, but we did not completely disassemble the gun to inspect.

Barrel Length: 27 ½” (70 cm) with Ventilated Rib

Choke: Fixed Full

Sights / Optics: There is a brass bead mounted to the front of the rib. The top of the rib and the receiver are checkered to reduce glare.

Stock Configuration & Condition: The stocks are a two-piece checkered walnut set with a round-bottom half-pistol grip, monte-carlo comb, checkered bare butt and sling swivels mounted front and rear. The stocks have some scattered light compressions, scratches and scuffing with the most notable marks at the rear of the buttstock. There are no chips or cracks. The checkering is sharp in the forend and grip, lightly worn in the butt. The LOP measures 14 1/4″ from the front of the trigger to the end of the stock. The butt has light wear at the heel and toe. The stocks are in about Very Good-plus overall condition.

Type of Finish: Blue & Chrome

Finish Originality: Original

Bore Condition: The bore is bright. There is no erosion in the bore.

Overall Condition: This shotgun retains about 97% of its metal finish. The barrel shows light thinning at the muzzle and a few minor marks. The upper receiver has a spot of wear at the left-rear, a light mark on the right-rear and light handling marks. The lower receiver shows only light handling marks. The trigger guard has light thinning at edges and a few light marks. The exposed portion of the barrel lug has a few light marks and the rear edge of the forend iron has a couple of light nicks. Overall, this shotgun rates in about Fine condition.

Mechanics: The action functions correctly. The top lever allows the upper receiver and barrel assembly to pivot away from the lower receiver. The lower receiver houses the fire control group, lifter assembly, bolt recoil spring assembly and the magazine tube housing with the tube continuing back into the buttstock. The upper receiver houses the barrel and bolt assemblies with the bolt having a release lever on the bottom allowing it to be unlocked and manually moved. As this long-recoil shotgun is not safe to manually charge with the action closed, the proper means of loading is to load the magazine tube, then place one round in the chamber and push the bolt forward to lock, then close the action. There is a tang-mounted safety and a bolt release on the left of the lower receiver. We have not fired this shotgun. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance standards.

Box, Paperwork & Accessories: None.

Our Assessment: There are rare shotguns, there are hand-made shotguns, there are innovative, intricately designed shotguns, shotguns with designs which appear to be ahead of their time, and then there’s the Cosmi. Unbelievably, this gun’s design started in 1925 with production commencing in 1930 and continuing to this day. Rodolfo Cosmi Sr. was a carpenter in the small town of Montefeltro, born in the 1870s. Not particularly wealthy, but brimming with ingenuity, Cosmi decided that he would make his own shotgun using scrap parts and the handle of an umbrella; remarkably, it worked. This would be the first step in his journey to making one of the most fascinating shotguns in the world. Dissatisfied with the operation of other semi-automatic shotgun designs, Cosmi decided he would adapt the long-recoil operation of the Browning Auto-5, but with the magazine extending back into the buttstock, providing a more consistent balance with less weight in front of the receiver while still allowing for greater capacity. To this day, the Cosmi shotguns are still hand-fit, each gun painstakingly crafted to function flawlessly, and the company is still in the family with Rodolfo Cosmi Jr. serving as the third generation of Cosmi to take up the craft. With fewer than 10,000 produced since 1930, this shotgun is not only beautiful, not only intriguing, not only hand-crafted, it is quite rare, and this example is in exemplary condition for a field gun made more than 50 years ago. Visually, one would never expect that this shotgun was made half a century ago and designed nearly half a century before that! With this gun’s unique design, it is well worth the time to take a look through our photos get an idea of the ingenious operation of this fantastic gun. Good luck in your bidding!

CA Legal or CA Private Party Transferable: This C&R eligible shotgun can be transferred in California.

Rare Cosmi Long-Recoil 12 Ga Semi-Auto Shotgun C&R
Rare Cosmi Long-Recoil 12 Ga Semi-Auto Shotgun C&R