Rossi Overland, Coach Gun

Description

Rossi Overland Coach Gun, 12ga and 20" barrels.

This in NOT your typical Rossi Overland!
Don't miss this.

This is very early Rossi Overland Coach Gun. It has a 4-digit, S-prefixed, serial number, S4582. (Later models have a T- prefix.) Technically, this is a pre-Overland because it is not marked "The Overland" on the barrels. But I've run across several like these over the years, both with and without the Overland label, and there is no difference as far as I can tell. Besides, a pre-anything is always better than the anything!

These early Rossis have the Greener crossbolt lock and are very smooth. These differ from the later versions. I think this style of lock offers an advantage, especially for the Cowboy Shooter, over the newer style because the lever to open the shotgun returns to the center position even while the shotgun is open. Later models do not do this and some will have the problem where the right hammer cannot be cocked when the shotgun is open because the lever is in the way. Cowboy Shooters will cock the hammers with the gun open before starting a stage. With the Greener crossbolt, the lever returns to the center with the action open and it is impossible for it to interfere with the hammer. I have included a photo to show this. I have also included a photo of ANOTHER gun showing how the lever is left in a position that it may interfere with the right hammer on some guns with the later-style levers. I know of two people who have had this issue with their Rossis.

The other great thing about the Rossi hammer-guns, and this applies to the Overland and pre-Overland, is that they do not have the ridiculous, unnecessary, and stupid-looking, tang safety. If you're considering buying a modern SxS hammer gun for Cowboy Shooting be sure you know that in advance. The tang safety on a gun where you have to cock the hammers is only an annoyance.

Another interesting thing about this Rossi is it was imported by "Firearms Int'l Corp" in Washington, DC, and is marked on the top of the barrels. Later ones are marked "Garcia Corporation" on the barrels or "Interarms Alexandria, Virgina" on the side of the receiver. I don't have the date of manufacture for this but I'm guessing the 1960s since it seems that I've read they were imported in the 60s to early 80s. Also I read that Firearms International was taken over by Garcia Sporting Arms in the early 70s.

This has the Rossi buttplate as shown in the photos. Rossi Overlands never came from the factory with rubber recoil pads so if you ever see one with a rubber recoil pad you can be sure the stock was cut and the recoild pad added.

This particular Rossi is special in a couple of ways. I've seen a lot of Rossi Overlands over the years, but only a couple had the factory sling swivels like this one does. And this is the only one I've ever seen with a blued receiver and silver-colored hammers and lever. Most have blued hammers and lever, and I've seen some that have a color case-hardened look on the hammers and/or lever. This one is different than every one I've ever seen.

I tried to provide many photos so you know exactly what you're getting. This Rossi is in very nice condition. There is no rust or pitting or splits or cracks. The action works great and the lockup is perfect. There is a mark on the left side of the buttstock. This is NOT a scratch in that it did not cut through the varnish, it's just an impression. Hopefully the photo clearly shows that. Take a look at the bolt face. Very faint markings from the brass equates to very little use.

You probably already know this but these will take 3" shells although I know of no Cowboy Shooter who wants do that. But if you're buying this for home defense, and it would be a great home defense gun, then maybe you do. One barrel is marked full and the other is marked modified.

And finally, if you're not familiar with these Rossis, these are the preferred SxSs with hammers for Cowboy Action shooting because as I mentioned they don't have the stupid tang safety, and they just work great. I sold this to a friend several years ago and he used it a few times in Cowboy shooting, but it turns out he's more interested in other shooting sports so sold it back to me. Since I already have one, I'm selling this, again.

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Price: $795

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