Old Browning value??

[Tac driver]

What say you calgunners?

A buddy of mine is looking to sell a Browning over under shotgun and is looking for a value. He is the original owner.

-1969 Browning Diane .410

68C80990-A1C2-4E87-8B84-CD05341CDB4D.jpg

[Ducky's Dad]

1969 is right in the middle of the salt wood years, so that is the first thing to check. If it's a salt gun, proceed with caution.

According to Schwing’s interviews with Browning’s Harm Williams and Val Browning, all the salt curing was done in the US and affected at least 90% of all Browning stocks from made from 1967 to 1969. The problem continued to show up until 1972, but in smaller numbers. It was then that the entire supply of walnut blanks was burned and replaced with traditional kiln dried wood.

To detect salt wood on 1966 to 1972 guns, first check for outward appearance of dark or discolored spots. Check every place that wood meets metal, as on the rear of the forend and at the head of the stock. Rust on the metal will be apparent if there is a problem. According to Schwing, the definitive test is to remove the butt pad/plate, scrape away a little wood from the exposed butt and apply a 1% solution of silver nitrate to the fresh wood. If the silver nitrate remains light purple, there is no salt. If the silver nitrate turns white, you have a salt gun.

If you can prove that you are the original owner of the salt gun, Browning used to replace the wood for free and will probably still do so. If you bought the gun used, you are on your own. I got a used Superposed 410 with salt wood some time ago. Browning charged me about $250, if memory serves, to replace the wood. It wasn’t free, but it was certainly a bargain price. I don’t know what the numbers today are.

https://shotgunreport.com/2013/05/22/browning-salt-wood-explained/

Normally, a .410 Diana is worth a ton of money. Steve Barnett has one on his website now at $17,500, but Barnett is ridiculously overpriced and looking for a sucker.

https://stevebarnettfineguns.com/browning-1-shotguns-for-sale/diana-grade-superposed-410-bore

A friend of mine bought one a couple of years ago with straight grip and 28" barrels, no salt wood, English grip very close to as new, for $5500, but he got an exceptionally good deal.
Your friend's gun has square knob, worth less than round knob or English grip. Things like barrel length, chokes, tang style, stock dimensions all affect price on these, but condition is paramount. Get a magnifying glass and look for engraver's signature, can make a big difference. Looks like there are some dark spots on the fore end wood on this one, so maybe salt wood, maybe not. If you don't know what you are looking at, get help before dropping serious money.

[Ducky's Dad]

Can't tell from those pics, but if it has a solid rib, that's a big plus.

[Air]

Beautiful Shotgun, GLWS.

[Tac driver]

Thanks for the info ducky. The engraver is F. Marechal. It is a vented rib I believe.

[W.R.Buchanan]

I doubt they used Salt Wood on a Diana Grade Browning.

I would send the pics to Art's Gun Shop in Missouri. They can tell you what the thing is worth and they are about the most competent Browning People out there.

Art worked a s a gunsmith for Browning in St Louis for 30 years. He kinda knows what he's talking about.

I have dealt with them a bunch and they are ethical and professional people who deal with everyone in a fair and consistent manner.

Talk to Art Nick or Brad. 1-636- 944-3630

http://www.artsgunshop.com/

That gun could easily be worth well over $10K.

Randy

[Ducky's Dad]

I doubt they used Salt Wood on a Diana Grade Browning.

They probably did. The prior link I posted said it affected 90% of the Supers in that period. Here is a link to a salt Diana for sale:

https://www.gunsinternational.com/guns-for-sale-online/shotguns/browning-belgium-shotguns-o-u-superposed-diana/browning-superposed-diana-12-ga-.cfm?gun_id=101196991

Description:
This is a saltwood Browning Superposed Diana Grade shotgun in 12 Gauge.

Description is by Cabela's, so I'd take it with a grain of salt. But better to be cautious than to get screwed on an expensive gun.

OP could send serial number to Browning to see whether their records show it as a salt gun.

[W.R.Buchanan]

Or they could just call Art's Gun Shop and ask them. Art would definitely know.

There was no SN or date of MFG on that listing? That I saw. pretty gun though.

The other gun talked about here is a sweet little shotgun. The .410's are precious.

I have a Citori Sporting Clays Edition .410 with 32" bbls. and it is one of my most treasured possessions.

Randy