Outstanding wood on that Franchi. Don't think I've seen one with that much grain and pattern.
Was that by chance, or did you get to pick?
Just dumb luck. I had been wanting a English stocked Deluxe 28 but by the time I got serious about ordering one, they had been discontinued. I figured eventually a used one would show but had never actually seen one. One Saturday, with nothing much to do, a buddy and I drove 2 1/2 hours to
Mid South Guns in Wagram NC, a trip we make once a year. They are usually a treasure trove for neat stuff. They just happened to have a used English stocked 28 but it had a hideous recoil pad on it and the stock had been cut. I passed, but at least got to finally handle one. It was so nimble and lively that my plan was to call Benelli on Monday to see if a new replacement stock was available.
Neither of us spent any money, so after we left Mid South I suggested we drive another 30 miles to Jim's Pawn Shop in Fayetteville. As we walked in, I was disgusted that their inventory had become largely Tacti-Cool. Not expecting much, I walked to the counter where the used long guns were and my eyes instantly were drawn to the straight stocked Franchi. I couldn't see the figure of the wood from the angle it was at and figured it was a 20ga anyway but asked to hold it. When the guy handed it to me, I was in disbelief. When I finally regained my senses and came out of my reverie, I pulled my wallet out so fast I sprained my wrist.
