Info on an old shotgun

[XDRoX]

My best friend inherited a Browning over and under shotgun and offered it to me for $200. I assume it's at least worth that and since I don't have a nice shotgun I'll probably buy it. I just wanted to post it here first to get any info on it.
All I know is that it's a Browning. My buddy still has the hand written receipt that his grandfather got when he bought it used in 1960 for $200. And it's a 12 gauge.
Besides that I know nothing.
Can I shoot it considering it's age?
Will it make a good trap gun?
Any problems to look out for?
I can take more pics if you need them.
Thanks in advance for any info.

[delisle]

Buy it!!!!!!!!! Right now, old Brownings like that are a great find. but it and then take it to a gunsmith. Get it!

[gaucho750]

Buy it...BUY IT NOW!!!!

[BigDogatPlay]

My best friend inherited a Browning over and under shotgun and offered it to me for $200.

Quite likely worth more, almost any Browning O/U is a prize. Buy it... now.

Can I shoot it considering it's age?
Almost certainly, but have a gunsmith check it out

Will it make a good trap gun?
Maybe... going to depend on how it's choked. Modified or less choke for trap

Any problems to look out for?
Rust, particular in the bores.
Dents in the barrels
Bulges in the barrels
Rib coming off
Corrosion inside the receiver / on the pivot

A gunsmith can evaluate the mechanism to make sure it's safe and that everything works as designed.

[mjsweims]

If you don't want it I'll fly down and buy it.

[aippi]

Sorry but it is a hunk of junk and you should not get stuck with it, so have him call me immediately day or night and I will be a great guy and take that POS off his hands. Yes, I know, I am a great person for doing something like this for a fellow forum member

Be warned, if he is a friend and finds out what that is worth he might be bitter that he let it go to you for only $200. There is not enough info or pictures to even start to guess at the value of this weapon. Is it Belgian made? what grade, as Browning go by Grade I, Grade II ect...., what barrels, what chokes? What stocks? It could be worth from a little as $600 to Thousands depending on these things.

Taking it to a local skeet range would get some good info as those guys know these guns better then guys like me. I can only look in the Blue book and there are so many models of the Browning SxS and O/U that I could not even come close without having more info.

[XDRoX]

Wow thanks for the replies. He already took it and got it appraised. He said he could get $1100 for it but would rather I have it.
There is one thing. The stock has been cut down about an inch for a short person I guess. When his grandfather bought it he had the stock re-lengthened. So you can see that the end of the stock has different wood on it. Whoever did it did a beautiful job, but you can tell it's not original. My buddy told me if the stock had never been altered the gun would be worth over $2500. But since it was cut and then re-lengthened, it's not even worth half that. He knows I'll shoot it, so he offered it to me for $200.
Sounds like I should buy it, which I probably will.

[Thefeeder]

ttt

Info

Browning Superposed Grade I Standard Weight.
Hand Engraved and made in Belgium.

Single kinetic trigger system ( recoil from first sheel sets the second)
Non automatic safety....close and shoot. Saftey is is just below the lever ("on safe" is down position) "S" showing
Saftey switch is also the barrel selector ( most O/U's shoot the wider choked lower barrel first) Push down, over ,up..you will see a "O" or a "U"
When you open the barrels the are marks on the side **, *, *- these are the choke markings


High quality animals...some say the best field gun ever made....I agree if its a Superposed Lightning (just lighter version of the same thing)
Original blue and wood finish are essentual to value...molested guns have little collector valve. (I know who cares, it a shooter. Its fine, until you sand off 2000.00...not off this one, but you get the 8x10)

FYI...Browning warns NOT to shoot steel shot in any Belgium made guns

Post a pic of the top of the receiver and give the first 4 digits of the serial # for more.

Can you shoot? Yes, then hand it down to your kids...who can shoot it and hand it down to their kids. They are made like tanks.
Trap Gun? Sure many do.

PS: Was the seller drunk or was he recently hit in the head for selling it at 200?

[XDRoX]

Here's a shot of where the stock was cut:

Here's the top:

The serial # is 43xxx

[Thefeeder]

Here's a shot of where the stock was cut:

Here's the top:

The serial # is 43xxx

43XXX made in 1955

The stock is a dam sham. The gun has seen a lot of use over the years from the position of the lever. In the near future you should have the action tightened, cheep to do...then, your good to go for another 55 years and a zillon rounds

PS: Was the appraiser drunk or resently hit in the head...1100?.......... 2500 if "as new" original condition ...retail .........enjoy your shotgun, you did good

[XDRoX]

PS: Was the appraiser drunk or resently hit in the head...1100? 2500 if "as new" original condition ...retail .........enjoy your shotgun, you did good

Thanks for all the info Feeder. I do agree, the stock is a shame. I didn't follow what you said last. Is $1100 way too much, or is it worth somewhere around there?
Thanks

[IrishPirate]

you could probably add another zero on that price tag.....buy it!

[tunder]

If you don't buy it, I will, so help me GOD, get on an airplane, fly out there and slap you.

[ElToro]

rough 12 ga superposed field grade or whatever the lowest level is probly right at 800- 1100 or so. ive seen them cheaper and more

clean and uncut stock 2500 is probly right on as well... pre war or higher grades( nicer wood and engraving, action the same)

hi grade multi barrel NIB examples go for as much as a small house.

you have a very generous friend. you got a great deal. probly the best OU ever built and surely the best with a reasonable street price. (perazzi, guerini etc. excepted as they cost SO much to get into and probly still arent as good as a belgian superposed)

check these guys http://www.midwestgunworks.com/page/mgwi for premium gunsmithing on superposed. they have a bunch of former browning employees there as gunsmiths and have the wood you need as well. and probly alter the chokes to something useful like mod/imp

just keping it as is as a shooter is fine, it probly still locks up tight like a bank vault and your great grandkids will be shooting skeet and upland birds with it.
for a shooter, you cant get abette OU

[Thefeeder]

....

Thanks for all the info Feeder. I do agree, the stock is a shame. I didn't follow what you said last. Is $1100 way too much, or is it worth somewhere around there?
Thanks

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