FN Browning Superposed Lightning Skeet 20 GA 26.5″ O/U Shotgun 1965 C&R
SOLD FOR: $2029
LSB#: 210610DL24
Make: FN, In Belgium, for Browning.
Model: Superposed Lightning Skeet, Grade I
Serial Number: 37323V5
Year of Manufacture: 1965 (https://www.browning.com/support/date-your-firearm/superposed-shotgun.html)
Gauge: 20 Gauge, 2 3/4? & 3″ Shells
Action Type: Over / Under, Top Break Shotgun with Ejectors & Single Selective Trigger.
Markings: The left of the top barrel is marked “BROWNING ARMS COMPANY ST LOUIS Mo. & MONTREAL P.Q. / MADE IN BELGIUM”, the right is marked “SPECIAL STEEL – 20 GA – SHELLS 2 3/4″ AND 3” / PATENTS NO. 2,203378 – 2,233,861”. Concealed by the forend when assembled, the left of each barrel is marked with crowned “E / LG / *” in oval and “12-75” in oval. At the breech on the left, the top barrel is marked “S**”, the bottom “**S”, both the letters have a strike through them. The left of the bottom chamber is marked “37323V5” and there are inspector marks on the bottom of the monoblock between the lugs. The left of the forend latch is marked “37323V”, the top of the cocking piece is marked “37323V5”. The spring-loaded finger piece for the forend latch is marked “37323V5”. The top tang is marked “37323V5”, the bottom of the receiver is marked “Lightning / BROWNING” with a bust portrait of John Browning, and the water table is marked with Belgian proofs. The receiver has Grade I engraving.
Barrel Length: 26 1/2?, Vent-Rib
Choke: Both Fixed Skeet
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a steel bead set on the rib at the muzzle. There is a little dimple on the tib at the midsection from a previously installed alignment bid-bead which is now missing.
Weight: 6 lb., 6 oz.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The stocks are two-piece checkered walnut with a pistol grip, straight comb, and black hard rubber Browning buttplate. There are some scattered compressions and little dings through the finish, the most noticeable are on the buttstock on the belly. There is a tiny hairline crack on the top of the wrist at the tang. There is a scratch on the left of the wrist at the receiver. The sides of the wrist have crazing. The checkering is strong. The LOP measures 14 1/4” from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttplate. The cast is about neutral. Overall, the stocks are in about Very Good condition. We have performed a saltwood check, these stocks are NOT saltwood.
Type of Finish: Blue
Finish Originality: Original
Bore Condition: The bores are bright, there is no erosion.
Overall Condition: This shotgun retains about 93% of its metal finish. The finish is thinning at some edges. There is some finish loss on the trigger that has discolored. There is some finish loss on the front of the trigger guard that has taken on light frost. There is some thinning on the bottom of the frame and on the shoulders of the barrel set that rest over the frame. There are a few patches of finish loss on the left top chamber. There are some scattered scuffs that have thinned the finish and some little spots of frost scattered over the barrels. The barrels have minor wear forward of the forend from disassembly/reassembly. The top tang has wear from the safety/selector and lever. The markings are clear. Overall, this shotgun is in about Very Good condition.
Mechanics: The action does not function correctly. Sometimes after manipulating the safety and selecting a barrel, the trigger will fire both barrels without being inertially set. The action closes with a satisfying ‘clunk’, 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 but functions properly when manually set. 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: Included is a Naugahyde case. The case has some scattered scuffs and some residue from previous stickers. Some other stitching has ripped and the lining has a small tear and some discoloration. The case rates in about Very Good condition.
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 post-war FN produced 20 Gauge in 1965, in about Very Good condition, showing tight metal and wood fit, retaining about 93% of its metal finish with great bores, the action needs a little work but once fixed should be spot on and the trigger is crisp. Val’s SST is still known as one of the most reliable and ingenious of its kind, even though the patent is nearing 100 years in practice. With 26 1/2″ barrels each choked Skeet, this is going to make for a nice skeet gun. The Lightning is a slightly lighter weight variant of the Superposed and this one should be a great shooter for decades to come once you get the trigger fixed. Please see our photos and good luck!