Exceptional 1950s Cosmi Brevettato Special-Order 12 Gauge – Three-Barrel Set – Case-Hardened Receiver – English Straight-Hand Stock – Original Fitted Case – Robert Foman Provenance
Offered here is an extraordinary early Cosmi Brevettato 12-gauge semi-automatic shotgun, ordered and manufactured during the 1950s and presented as a remarkable three-barrel set with 24”, 27”, and 31” barrels, together with its original fitted case and sling. The combination of its early production, unusual special-order features, three widely differing barrel lengths, original fitted case, and noteworthy original-owner provenance makes this an exceptionally interesting Cosmi for the advanced sporting-arms collector. Cosmi shotguns have occupied a unique position among the world’s finest sporting arms for generations. Built in Italy with extensive hand fitting, the Cosmi combines the operation of a semi-automatic shotgun with an elegant break-open action reminiscent of a traditional fine sporting gun. Its magazine is incorporated into the buttstock rather than positioned beneath the barrel, producing the distinctive slender profile for which the Cosmi is immediately recognizable. This particular shotgun is believed to represent an early Deluxe/Extra Deluxe special-order configuration and exhibits a combination of features rarely encountered on an early Cosmi. Perhaps most striking is its case-hardened lower receiver, which retains substantial mottled coloration across the action. This contrasts beautifully with the highly polished upper receiver and gives the shotgun a distinctly traditional European sporting-gun appearance. Equally noteworthy is the stock configuration. Rather than the more commonly encountered pistol grip, this gun was built with an elegant English-style straight-hand stock of attractive figured walnut. The straight grip, fine checkering and slender profile give the gun the appearance and handling characteristics of a bespoke European game gun while retaining Cosmi’s extraordinary semi-automatic mechanism. Exceptional Three-Barrel Configuration The shotgun is accompanied by three fitted 12-gauge barrels measuring 24”, 27”, and 31”. The considerable variation between these barrel lengths is particularly interesting. Rather than three closely spaced barrel options, the set provides dramatically different configurations—from the quick-handling 24” barrel, through the versatile 27” barrel, to the exceptionally long 31” barrel. This unusually broad range would have allowed the original owner to configure a single bespoke Cosmi for substantially different sporting applications. Based upon our examination of the gun, its markings and the configuration of the set, we believe the shotgun may originally have been commissioned as a two-barrel set and subsequently returned to Cosmi to have the third barrel individually fitted. At this time, that chronology has not been confirmed through surviving Cosmi factory documentation, and we therefore present it as our current assessment rather than established factory history. Further factory research could prove particularly significant with a Cosmi of this caliber. Robert Foman Provenance The shotgun was reportedly originally ordered by Robert Foman, a prominent American businessman associated with the New York Stock Exchange and reported to have served as a Governor of the Exchange. The association with Foman adds another compelling dimension to an already remarkable sporting arm. High-grade European sporting guns of this period were expensive, highly personal purchases, and Cosmi’s ability to tailor its guns to an individual customer’s requirements made them particularly attractive to wealthy and sophisticated sportsmen. The unusual specifications of this shotgun are entirely consistent with the character of an individually commissioned sporting arm. Original Fitted Case Just as important as the shotgun itself is its original fitted multi-barrel case. The compartmented case was specifically configured to accommodate the shotgun and its multiple barrels and remains with the gun today. The original sling is also included. The survival of the complete ensemble is particularly desirable. Rather than simply being an early Cosmi accompanied by additional loose barrels, this remains a cohesive multi-barrel sporting set. Condition The shotgun remains in very good condition considering its age and apparent sporting use. The highly polished upper receiver retains a strong reflective finish with scattered scratches and handling marks. The lower action retains substantial visible remnants of its distinctive mottled case-hardened finish. The figured walnut stock and forearm remain attractive and show honest scattered handling marks, impressions and wear consistent with a sporting shotgun approaching three-quarters of a century in age. The wood exhibits particularly attractive grain and figure. The fitted case likewise shows appropriate age and use while remaining an important and highly desirable component of the complete ensemble. Please examine all photographs carefully, as they form an important part of the condition description. Highlights Cosmi Brevettato semi-automatic shotgun 12 gauge Ordered and manufactured during the 1950s Believed early Deluxe/Extra Deluxe special-order configuration Distinctive case-hardened lower receiver Highly polished upper receiver Unusual English-style straight-hand stock Attractive figured walnut Fine checkering Three fitted 12-gauge barrels 24” barrel 27” barrel 31” barrel Original fitted multi-barrel case Reportedly originally ordered by Robert Foman Foman was associated with the New York Stock Exchange and reportedly served as a Governor of the NYSE Believed to have originally been ordered as a two-barrel set Believed subsequently returned to Cosmi for fitting of the third barrel Extremely unusual early Cosmi configuration Collector Significance This should not be viewed simply as another vintage Cosmi. It combines several characteristics that individually would make an early Cosmi noteworthy: 1950s manufacture, special-order configuration, case-hardened action, English straight-hand stock, three dramatically different fitted barrel lengths, original fitted case and distinguished original-owner provenance. Together, those characteristics create a sporting ensemble that appears to represent exactly the sort of highly individualized commission for which Cosmi became famous. The 24”, 27”, and 31” barrel combination is especially compelling. The substantial difference between the shortest and longest barrels suggests a set assembled to provide genuine versatility rather than merely redundant barrel options. Because Cosmi firearms were individually constructed and could be extensively tailored to their purchasers, definitive confirmation of the precise original factory grade, original two-barrel configuration and subsequent fitting of the third barrel would ideally come through Cosmi’s surviving factory records. Until such documentation is obtained, we intentionally describe those elements as believed rather than factory-confirmed. Regardless, the physical gun and surviving ensemble speak for themselves: an early, highly unusual and exceptionally well-appointed Cosmi Brevettato three-barrel sporting set possessing features seldom encountered together. An exceptional opportunity for the advanced Cosmi, Italian sporting-arms or fine-shotgun collector to acquire a distinctive 1950s special-order Cosmi ensemble with three fitted barrels, original case and noteworthy provenance. FREE SHIPPING TO YOUR FFL!