FN Browning Superposed Lightning 12 GA 30″ F/F Over Under Shotgun 1959 C&R
SOLD FOR: $1185
LSB#: 211204EJ15
Make: FN, In Belgium, for Browning.
Model: Superposed Lightning
Serial Number: 72104
Year of Manufacture: 1959 (https://www.browning.com/support/date-your-firearm/superposed-shotgun.html)
Gauge: 12 Gauge, 2 3/4? Shells
Action Type: Over / Under, Top Break Shotgun with Ejectors & Single Selective Inertial Trigger.
Markings: The left of the top barrel is marked “BROWNING ARMS COMPANY ST. LOUIS Mo. & MONTREAL P.Q. / SPECIAL STEEL – 12 GA. – SHELLS 2 3/4″”, the right is marked “PATENTS No 2203378 – 223386 / MADE IN BELGIUM ”. Concealed by the forend when assembled, the left of each barrel is marked with “12-70” in oval and has proofs. At the breech on the left, the top barrel is marked “*”, the bottom “*”, the bottom-left of the monoblock is marked “72104” and there are inspector marks on the bottom of the monoblock between the lugs. The left of the forend latch is marked “72104” and “T”, the spring-loaded finger piece is marked “72104”, and the cocking lever lifter is marked “72104”. The top tang is marked “72104”, 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: 30”, Vent-Rib
Choke: Both Fixed Full
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a red bead in a base fixed to the rib at the muzzle. There is a smaller white alignment bead at the midsection. The top of the rib is checkered for glare reduction.
Weight: 7 lb., 11 oz.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The stocks are two-piece checkered walnut with a round bottom pistol grip, straight comb, finger groove forend, and brown rubber Browning buttpad with black and red spacers. There is what appears to be a tiny hairline crack on the top of the wrist a the tang, but it is likely just the wood grain. There are some scattered draglines, compressions, little nicks, and a few light scratches. The most noticeable defects are on the buttstock down by the belly. There is some finish loss on the belly. The checkering is mostly strong. The LOP measures 14 1/2” from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttpad and 13 1/2″ to the wood. The pad has some scattered wear and little marks, mostly at the heel and toe. Drop at comb is approximately 1 3/8″, drop at heel 1 5/8″. The cast is slightly off. Overall, the stocks are in about Fine condition.
Type of Finish: Blue
Finish Originality: Original
Bore Condition: The bores are bright. There are a few spots of faint surface erosion at the muzzles, mostly in the bottom bore.
Overall Condition: This shotgun retains about 93% of its metal finish. There is some thinning and finish loss on the receiver, mostly on the bottom from handling. There are a few faint spots of surface frost on the bottom of the receiver. The barrels have some scattered light handling marks. There are a few faint scuffs on the barrels and one or two tiny little marks through the finish. There is some thinning on the edge of the muzzles. There is some discoloration from previous oxidation on the muzzles themselves. The right side of the barrels has some spots of dark discoloration from previous oxidation and tiny spots of pinprick erosion at the muzzles. There are some draglines and handling marks. The markings are clear. The screw heads are sharp. Overall, this shotgun is in about Fine condition.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly including the ejectors. 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: None.
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 12 Gauge Lightning from 1959, in about Fine condition, retaining about 93% of its metal finish. There is some light wear but the action is still 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 30″ barrels choked Full, this is going to make for a nice hunting or trap gun. Please see our photos and good luck!