Browning Model Citori 525 Golden Clays 28″ Over Under O/U Shotgun MFD 2003
SOLD FOR: $4000
LSB#: 210519RS01
Make: Browning
Model: 525 Citori Golden Clays
Serial Number: 23481MX131
Year of Manufacture: 2003 (https://www.browning.com/support/date-your-firearm/citori-over-under-shotgun.html)
Caliber: 28 Gauge 2 3/4” Shells
Action Type: Over Under Shotgun, with Single Selective Inertial Trigger & Ejectors
Markings: The left side of the upper barrel is marked “BROWNING ARMS COMPANY MORGAN, UTAH / MADE IN JAPAN/MIROKU”. The left of the monoblock is marked “23481”, “5”, “P” and “INVECTOR / 28””. The bottom of the monoblock is marked with proofs. The right of the top barrel is marked “SPECIAL STEEL 28 GA-2 3/4””. The inside of the forend iron is marked “23481” and the inside of the forend is stamped “HE23481”. The top tang, under the lever, is marked with the serial number. The sides and bottom of the receiver, forend iron, lever, top tang, and safety have scroll engraving. The bottom of the receiver is marked in gold with “535” below two gold clays. The markings on the sides of the frame provide the visual of game birds transforming into clays during flight, the left side of the receiver is marked in gold with two clays followed by a mixture of a clay and a bird followed by and two upland birds. The right side of the receiver is marked in gold with two clays followed by a mixture of a clay and a duck followed by and two ducks. The sides of the receiver have gold borders. The bottom of the trigger guard has a Buck Mark logo in gold.
Barrel Length: 28” Vent-Rib
Choke: The currently installed Extended chokes are Improved Cylinder over Skeet.
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a green fiber optic in a base fixed to the front of the rib. The rib has a white alignment bead at the midsection. The top of the rib has serrations perpendicular to the bore on the sides and serrations parallel to the bore in the center for glare reduction.
Weight: 7 lb., 6 oz.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The stocks are checkered walnut with a pistol grip with right-handed palm swell, Schnabel tip forend, and fluted straight comb. There are a couple small scratches that have colored with age, mostly on the left side of the butt. There is a small chip on the front edge of the pistol grip. There are a few little tiny compression marks, most noticeable on the front of the pistol grip and on the belly at the toe. The checkering is strong. The LOP measures approximately 14 1/4” from the front of the trigger to the back of the black rubber buttpad. The drop at comb is approximately 1 5/8” and at heel 2 1/8”. The pad has some scattered light wear. The stocks rate in about Fine overall condition.
Type of Finish: Blue & Silver Nitride with Gold Accents
Finish Originality: Original
Bore Condition: The bores are bright with no erosion.
Overall Condition: This gun retains about 98% of its metal finish. There are a few light handling marks and standard operational wear. There is a bit of finish loss to the gold Buck Mark on the trigger guard with a bit of verdigris in one of the antlers. The trigger guard has barely perceptible movement to the frame. The screw heads are sharp. The markings are crisp. Overall, this gun rates in about Fine Plus condition and would rate Excellent if not for the few defects to the stocks.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. The shotgun features a single selective trigger and ejectors. The barrels lock up solidly. The safety does not engage automatically when the action is opened but does function properly when engaged manually. 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: None.
Our Assessment: Browning Citori shotguns are extremely dependable and make for great investments. This example is a Citori 525 Golden Clays, with 28” barrels threaded for Invector chokes and chambered for 28 gauge 2 ¾ inch shells. It features beautifully figured checkered walnut stocks and scroll engraving with gold accents. Aside from minor wear to the stocks, it has wear consistent with a few shots at the range, retaining strong mechanics, bright bores, and a tight lockup. This ought to be a great shotgun for hunting or clay shooting for the lucky winner. Please see our photos and good luck!