Model 2041 28" 20 gauge. Universal Firearms Hialeah FL and Brescia Italy. Appears to be monobloc. Rough, ie not well polished, metal finishing on barrel and receiver sides. ?skeet and improved cylinder.
Any idea which Italian gunmaker produced these for Universal? Are they mechanically reliable? Parts available?
$400 at LGS. Wondering if it would be a good knockabout grouse gun but not worth messing with it if they're prone to breaking.
Universal was an importer of cheap firearms (in both senses of the word) for most, if not all, its existence. The exception might have been the first decade or so but no matter when the gun was made it would have been to a price point rather than quality level. As guns were made to fill contracts, the manufacturer could change at every new contract.
Brescia was/is the home town of many quality firearm companies but it was/is also home to many more questionable ones. Spain and Italy were common producers of low end O/U and SxS shotguns during this time, much like Brazil and Turkey later on. I would place no value on the place of manufacture.
I would consider this gun to be disposable as it will be of questionable quality based on your limited description. Maybe you will get $400 of use out of it before something breaks, maybe not. When, not if, it breaks parts will likely be nonexistent and it will be difficult to find someone reputable to work on it. I went through this with an American Arms shotgun years ago when an ejector broke and no one, not even the "authorized repair facility" listed in the owner's manual would work on it. It sat in a corner for several years before a shade tree gunsmith bought it from me. He discovered it wasn't worth his while either.