Browning Superposed Lightning Broadway Trap 32″ F/M 12 GA O/U Shotgun, 1972

SOLD FOR: $1425

LSB#: 220423FW001

Make: FN, In Belgium, for Browning.

Model: Superposed Lightning Broadway Trap, Grade I

Serial Number: 5726S72

Year of Manufacture: 1972 (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 Trigger (mechanical).

Markings: The left of the top barrel is marked “BROWNING ARMS COMPANY MORGAN, UTAH & MONTREAL P.Q. / MADE IN BELGIUM”, the right is marked “BROWNING SUPERPOSED / SPECIAL STEEL 12 GA. SHELLS 2 3/4””. At the breech on the left, the top barrel is marked “*”, the bottom “32 **”, the bottom-left of the monoblock is marked “5726 S2” and there are inspector marks on the bottom of the monoblock between the lugs. The left of the forend latch is marked “5726 S”, the top of the cocking piece is marked “5726 S”. The top tang is marked “5726 S72”, 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: 32″, Wide Vent-Rib

Choke: Full over Modified, Fixed

Sights / Optics: There is a white bead in a base mounted at the front of the rib and there is a smaller white mid-bead. The top of the rib has wavy serrations on each side with a strip of in-line serrations down the middle for glare reduction.

Weight: 8 lb., 4.2 oz.

Stock Configuration & Condition: The stocks are two-piece checkered walnut with pistol grip, straight comb, and brown rubber Browning recoil pad. The forend has a wide, flat bottom with finger grooves. The stocks have some scattered light nicks, scuffs and scratches. There are tiny losses at the top-rear corners of the forend on each side. There is scattered crazing in the finish with a notable void in the finish on the right of the belly behind the grip and a spot of peeling finish on the right near the rear. The checkering is well defined. The LOP measures 14 3/8” from the front of the trigger to the back of the recoil pad. The pad has light-moderate wear and is still supple. Drop at comb is approximately 1 1/4?, drop at heel 1 3/8?.Overall, the stocks are in Good-Very Good condition. This gun was made after the saltwood issue was discovered and corrected, 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 92% of its metal finish. The finish is thinning at all edges. There are some scattered minor nicks, scuffs and scratches with infrequent spots of faint surface oxidation. There is light wear forward of the forend from assembly/disassembly. The receiver has handling wear toward the bottom-front and the guard is mostly worn to white. The action shows operational wear. The screw heads are sharp. The markings are clear. Overall, this shotgun is in Very Good condition.

Mechanics: The action functions correctly including the ejectors. The shotgun features a single selective trigger which is mechanically 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: 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 in 1972, in Very Good condition, showing signs of use but retaining about 92% of its metal finish with great bores, the action is still spot on and the trigger is crisp. With 32? barrels choked Full over Modified, this is going to make for a nice hunting or trap gun. The Lightning is a slightly lighter weight variant of the superposed and the Broadway refers to the wide ventilated rib. This shotgun should be a good shooter for lifetimes to come. Please see our photos and good luck!

Browning Superposed Lightning Broadway Trap 32" F/M 12 GA O/U Shotgun, 1972
Browning Superposed Lightning Broadway Trap 32″ F/M 12 GA O/U Shotgun, 1972