Franchi Instinct Sideplate 20 Gauge Over/Under, 28 in Barrels, 3 in Chambers, Color Case-Hardened Receiver with Gold Bird Inlays
This Franchi Instinct Sideplate in 20 gauge pairs Italian craftsmanship with elegant factory engraving and a color case-hardened steel receiver. It features decorative sideplates with gold bird inlays, a blued 28 in monobloc barrel set with a ventilated rib and red fiber-optic bead, and a walnut stock with refined checkering. CIP proofed for 20/76 (3 in) shells and imported by Benelli USA, this shotgun combines classic styling with practical field features.
The Sideplate variant stands out with its scroll-engraved, color case-hardened receiver and an engraved, skeletonized top lever. It is configured with automatic ejectors, interchangeable chokes, and a single-selective trigger with a tang safety and barrel selector. Current choke setup is Top: Modified and Bottom: Improved Cylinder, and all three included extended knurled choke tubes are marked "NO STEEL SHOT."
The stock is walnut with a Prince-of-Wales grip, a slim, rounded field-style forend, and hand checkering, finished with a rubber buttpad and secured by a forend latch. Stock geometry is set with a neutral grip, slight toe-out, and cast-off, and length of pull measures 14.5 in to the butt.
Barrels are chambered 20/76 (3 in) and bear CIP S and boxed 21 Italian proof marks. Import marking reads Benelli USA Corp., Accokeek, MD. Serial markings are present on the tang and monobloc.
Condition
Overall Condition: Very good condition, showing only light, superficial signs of prior handling or use.
Bore Condition: Excellent - Clean, mirror finish, no signs of wear.
Specific Condition Notes: Minor superficial scratches and blemishes are present. There is slight rust and pitting by the ejectors. The top lever rests right of center. Barrel fit is good. The ejectors are slightly mis-timed.
The firing pins are good.
What's Included
- Franchi-branded orange hard case
- Franchi owner's manual
- Extended knurled choke tube — Cylinder
- Extended knurled choke tube — Full
- Extended knurled choke tube — Improved Modified
The color case-hardened steel receiver with decorative sideplates is factory engraved with scrollwork and accented by gold bird inlays, giving this Sideplate model its signature look. The engraved, skeletonized top lever complements the receiver treatment and provides a distinctive control surface.
The 28 in blued barrels are monobloc construction with a ventilated top rib and a red fiber-optic front bead. Chambers are marked 20/76 (3 in) and carry CIP proof. It uses interchangeable chokes; the current configuration is Top Barrel: Modified and Bottom Barrel: Improved Cylinder. All three included extended knurled choke tubes are marked "NO STEEL SHOT."
The walnut stock includes a Prince-of-Wales grip, a slim, rounded field-style forend, hand checkering, and a rubber buttpad. A forend latch secures the forend. Stock geometry is Neutral Grip with slight toe-out and cast-off, and length of pull measures 14.5 in.
Controls include a tang safety with barrel selector and an automatic safety, paired with a single-selective trigger. The gun uses automatic ejectors and has a 2-round capacity. Proof and import marks include CIP S and boxed 21, with importation by Benelli USA Corp., Accokeek, MD. Serial markings are present on the tang and monobloc.