Engraved Browning Superposed Pointer Grade 20 GA 26.5″ 28″ O/U Shotgun 1972

SOLD FOR: $9626

LSB#: 210221PK08

Make: FN, In Belgium, for Browning.

Model: Superposed, Pointer Grade

Serial Number: 181V72

Year of Manufacture: 1972 (https://www.browning.com/support/date-your-firearm/superposed-shotgun.html)

Gauge: 20 Gauge, 2 ¾” & 3? Shells

Action Type: Over / Under, Top Break Shotgun with Ejectors & Single Selective Trigger.

Markings: The left of the top barrel of the 26 ½” barrel is marked “BROWNING ARMS COMPANY MORGAN, UTAH & MONTREAL P.Q. / MADE IN BELGIUM”. The right side of the top barrel is marked “BROWNING SUPERPOSED / SPECIAL STEEL 20 GA. SHELLS_3” / BROWNING PATENTS”. Concealed by the forend when assembled, the left of each barrel is marked with crowned “20-75” in oval and “15.9”. At the breech on the left, the top barrel is marked “**” and the bottom “**-“, the bottom-left of the monoblock is marked “181 V72 / 2” and there are inspector marks on the bottom of the monoblock between the lugs. The left of the forend latch is marked “181 2”, the top of the cocking piece is marked “181 2”. The top tang is marked “181 V72” and the water table is marked with Belgian proofs. The receiver has Pointer Grade engraving with the pointers carrying a pheasants on the sides, two upland birds on the bottom of the frame, and another upland bird on the trigger guard, all surrounded by fine scroll and border engraving which continues onto the guard, forend iron, lever, and safety switch. Each side of the receiver beneath the game scene is signed “L. ERNST” (Lucien Ernst). The safety indicators on the top tang are inlaid with gold.

The 28” barrel has the same markings except that the at the breech on the left, the top barrel is marked “*” and the bottom “**“, the bottom-left of the monoblock is marked “181 V72 / 1”. The left of the forend latch is marked “181 1”, the top of the cocking piece is marked “181 1”

Barrel Length: 28”, Vent-Rib & 26 1/2” Vent-Rib

Choke: 26”: Modified over Improved Cylinder, Fixed 28”: Full over Modified, Fixed

Sights / Optics: Both barrels have a silver-colored bead at the front of the rib. The top of both the ribs is finely checkered to reduce glare.

Weight: 28”: 6 lb., 3.4 oz., 26 1/2”: 6 lb., 0.9 oz.

Stock Configuration & Condition: The stocks are two-piece finely checkered select walnut with flat-bottom pistol grip, straight comb, and black hard rubber Browning buttplate. The stocks have a few scattered minor marks with a few little compressions. The most noticeable marks are on the belly and sides of the buttstock down by the toe. The checkering is well defined, mostly sharp. There are no chips or cracks. The LOP measures 14 1/4? from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttplate. The plate has a few light marks mostly at the heel. Drop at comb is approximately 1 1/2?, drop at heel 2 1/4?. The cast is about neutral. Overall, the stocks are in about Excellent condition.

Type of Finish: Blue & Silver Gray

Finish Originality: Original

Bore Condition: The bores are bright, there is no erosion.

Overall Condition: This shotgun retains about 96% of its metal finish. The barrels have strong finish with minor wear in front of the forend from disassembly/reassembly and a few minor marks. The trigger guard, lever, safety, and top tang have little freckles of discoloration appearing to be from oxidation. The 28” barrel has some little scuffs and rubs that have thinned the finish and both the 28” and 26” barrel assemblies have a few scattered spots of surface frost mainly on their bottom barrel. The screw heads are sharp, though the forend’s screw head does not sit flush to its escutcheon, indicating it has been turned. The markings are clear. Overall, this shotgun is in about Fine Plus condition.

Mechanics: The action functions correctly. The shotgun features a single selective trigger which is inertially set. The action closes with a satisfying ‘clunk’ with both barrel sets, indicative of FN’s legendary craftsmanship, resulting in zero movement between the barrels and frame. The safety does not set automatically when the action is opened. We have not fired this shotgun. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance standards.

Box, Paperwork & Accessories: This shotgun comes in a Browning “Hartmann” style Superposed case. The exterior of the case has minor storage wear and the interior has light wear from the contents, in about Fine condition. Also included is a pair of snap-caps and an Outers Silicone Gun & Reel Cloth in a green tin case.

Our Assessment: After the death of John Browning, his son Val would complete an over under shotgun with a single selective trigger and ejectors; the Superposed was introduced in 1931, it was an instant success; the factory did not produce any of these shotguns during WWII but just after the war ended, the factory came roaring back to life, creating some of their best product to date. This is a wonderful example of FN’s post-war work and in the 1970s only about 7,200 engraved Superposed shotguns were sold in North America. From its gorgeous game scenes and fine scroll work to its silver gray finish and beautifully figured walnut, this Pointer Grade Superposed shotgun set is a must have for collectors. This example is in about Fine Plus condition with some light wear in the stock and some spots of light frost on the barrels likely from where they sit in the case. The gun comes in a nice Hartmann-style Browning case and will make an excellent addition to any Browning or over-under shotgun collection. Please see our photos and good luck!

Engraved Browning Superposed Pointer Grade 20 GA 26.5" 28" O/U Shotgun 1972
Engraved Browning Superposed Pointer Grade 20 GA 26.5″ 28″ O/U Shotgun 1972