Rizzini Artemis 16 bore

As many experienced shots will know, quite a number of manufacturers engrave the name Rizzini on the actions of their guns thanks to the fairly astonishing abilities of a modern Italian gunmaking dynasty. There is E. Rizzini, once best known for making entry-level guns but now a part of Fausti, a high-end manufacturer. More in the line of a boutique manufacturer, producing a small number of best quality guns, one finds Fratelli Rizzini. There is also Isidoro Rizzini, whose company FAIR makes guns for the likes of Lincoln. Finally, we have the maker of our test gun, perhaps the best known and most highly regarded Rizzini, Battista, whose company has been manufacturing guns in Italy’s Gardone Valley since 1966.

While all these names may lead to a little confusion, you can be in no doubt when you pick up the Artemis you are dealing with the real deal– the immediate impression is of high quality, from the excellent decoration and finish to the outstanding balance of the gun. The Artemis has been around for a few years now and was a Shooting Industry Awards winner in 2012 for best new shotgun – a few years on it is clear this gun is entirely worthy of all accolades it has received.

The first time with a 16 bore gun

I have had the pleasure of shooting the Artemis before, however this test was the first time I have used a 16 bore gun and I am finally able to report this gauge really is as good as all the shooting connoisseurs will tell you. Had I not just had to put down a sizeable sum on a new washing machine, this test gun would not have been going back on the shelves at Elderkin’s but rather come home with me – it really cannot be described as anything other than utterly superb to shoot.

In fact, much about this gun is superb – particularly the aesthetics. Although a de luxe version is available on foreign shores, complete with game scenes with gold inlays and colour case hardening, to my eyes the standard Artemis available in the UK is where the gun really shines. Thanks to the use of side plates there are copious amounts of engraving all over the action of the gun with some really excellent details to be found in the form of lion heads forming out of the predominant Acanthus scroll engraving and surrounding the Rizzini name in a banner. This motif is carried through to the bottom plate of the action body with two lions rampant holding a scroll emblazoned with the name of the gun.

Depth to the engraving work

Although applied by machine, there is a surprising amount of depth to the engraving work thanks to the clever use of a stippling effect to create shaded areas. Furthermore, given the overall quality of the engraving it seems likely to have been given some hand finishing. The fitting of the sideplates is also excellent, with no visible screws and any seams being very difficult indeed to pick out. There is also some blueing of hardware, such as the push-button fore-end release and top lever, as well as the fore-end iron, all of which are tasteful additions. The wood used on the gun is exceptional given the asking price, with a delightful tiger stripe-style figuring to the wood on our test gun. Chequering is quite bold but not at all coarse, and the finishing on the wood overall was good, giving a light glossy finish in an attractive honey colour. If one was being incredibly picky one might say there is a little too much wood left over where the wooden parts of the gun meet the metal.