Chiappa
Chiappa is an Italian firearms manufacturer
that specializes in making replicas of classic
guns. The company also makes signal and blank firing
pistols. Many of the
weapons feature a muzzle-loading system, which rose to prominence after being used by the British Navy in the 1860s. Chiappa weapons are often used in American Civil War reenactments.
However, Chiappa's signature firearm isn't a replica, it's the
Rhino revolver. It's popular because it's chambered in .357 Magnum and distinctively fires from the bottom chamber of the cylinder. This feature reduces muzzle flip by directing the recoil into the shooter's wrist.
Chiappa is a family owned company, started by Ezechiele Chiappa in 1958. The company has only around 50 employees, but produces around 60,000 guns each year. Chiappa can be divided into three branches: Armi Sport, Kimar, and Costa srl. Armi Sport was the original name of the company and now serves as a top firearms manufacturing branch. Kimar focuses on air guns and other non-lethal weapons. Costa srl. is the division of Chiappa that specializes in the surface treatment of metal parts.
The company was founded in Brescia, Italy, and its official headquarters remains there to this day. The U.S. headquarters is located in Dayton, Ohio.