The Lupara is a short, cut-down double-barrel shotgun that has become one of the most recognizable symbols of Sicily. Its origins lie in the rural landscapes of Southern Italy, where hunters shortened traditional double-barrels for easier handling in mountains, forests, and dense brush. Over time, this compact and powerful tool evolved into a cultural icon deeply intertwined with folklore, crime history, and cinema.
Historical Background
The name lupara comes from lupo — “wolf.” Originally, it was a practical weapon used to protect livestock from predators and for close-range hunting in rugged terrain. As years passed, its image became firmly associated with Italian mafia clans. The sawed-off configuration was inexpensive to make, extremely effective at short distances, and easy to conceal under a coat — making it a natural fit for the realities of the era.
In Culture and Media
The Lupara has become a staple of mafia-themed storytelling. It frequently appears:
in classic Sicilian and Campanian crime cinema,
in American mafia dramas as a symbol of the old school criminal world,
in video games — from historical shooters to modern action titles, where it represents brutal stopping power and uncompromising style,
in comics and graphic novels, often used as a visual shorthand for traditional organized crime.
Wherever the Lupara shows up, it adds weight and atmosphere, instantly grounding characters in the gritty, mythologized world of Sicilian underworld tradition.
About My 3D Model
I created a highly detailed 3D-printable Lupara inspired by its cinematic and video-game appearances. The model features fully functional mechanics — break action, triggers, shells — all designed with an emphasis on smooth operation and ease of printing.
🔗 My 3D model on Cults3D:
Lupara – Sawed-Off Double-Barrel Shotgun Prop
https://cults3d.com/en/creations/lupara-sawed-off-double-barrel-shotgun-prop
Lupara – Sawed-Off Double-Barrel Shotgun Prop
https://cults3d.com/en/creations/lupara-sawed-off-double-barrel-shotgun-prop
