Browning Model 12 & 42 Grade V 20 28 GA & 410 Vent Rib Pump Action Shotguns

SOLD FOR: $6575

LSB#: 220425EH001, 220425EH002, 220425EH003

Make: Miroku in Japan, for Browning

Model: 12 & 42 High Grade (Grade V) Limited Edition

Serial Number: 220425EH001: 00478NM972, 220425EH002: 00478PN932, 220425EH003: 00478NZ982

Year of Manufacture: 1988-1991

Gauge: 220425EH001: 28 Gauge 2 3/4?, 220425EH002: 20 Gauge 2 3/4?, 220425EH003: .410, 2 ½ & 3” Shells

Action Type: Pump / Slide Action, Tube Magazine Fed Takedown Shotguns

Markings: 

220425EH001: The left side of the barrel is marked “BROWNING MODEL 12 28 GA – 2 3/4? SHELLS ONLY MOD.”, with a “NP” proof, found again on top of the receiver to the left of the rib extension. The right side of the barrel is marked “BROWNING ARMS COMPANY MORGAN, UTAH & MONTREAL, P.Q. / MADE IN JAPAN”. The underside of the barrel extension is marked “00478” and the right of the barrel extension has a sticker marked “00478” in white, the underside of the magazine tube and extension have indexing arrows. The bottom of the receiver is marked “00478 / NM972?. The butt plate is marked “BROWNING”. The left side of the receiver has a scroll engraving surrounded dog and pheasant scene, the right a similarly surrounded waterfowl scene with the animals in both gold-plated.

220425EH002: The left side of the barrel is marked “BROWNING MODEL 12 20 GA – 2 3/4? SHELLS ONLY MOD.”, with a “NP” proof, found again on top of the receiver to the left of the rib extension. The right side of the barrel is marked “BROWNING ARMS COMPANY MORGAN, UTAH & MONTREAL, P.Q. / MADE IN JAPAN”. The underside of the magazine tube and extension have indexing arrows. The bottom of the receiver is marked “00478 / PN932?. The butt plate is marked “BROWNING”. The left side of the receiver has a scroll engraving surrounded dog and pheasant scene, the right a similarly surrounded waterfowl scene with the animals in both gold-plated.

220425EH003: The left side of the barrel is marked “BROWNING MODEL 42 .410 BORE – 2 1/2? AND 3? SHELLS FULL”, with a “NP” proof, found again on top of the receiver to the left of the rib extension. The right side of the barrel is marked “BROWNING ARMS COMPANY MORGAN, UTAH & MONTREAL, P.Q. / MADE IN JAPAN”. The underside of the barrel extension is marked “00478”, the underside of the magazine tube and extension have indexing arrows. The bottom of the receiver is marked “00478 / NZ982?. The butt plate is marked “BROWNING”. The left side of the receiver has a scroll engraving surrounded dog and pheasant scene, the right a similarly surrounded waterfowl scene with the animals in both gold-plated. The left of the receiver has a factory-applied sticker with instructions for assembly.

Barrel Length: 26”

Choke: 220425EH001 & 220425EH002: Modified, 220425EH003: Full, all fixed

Sights / Optics: These shotguns are each mounted with a steel bead fixed to the front of their ventilated ribs. The ribs meet at extensions slotted onto the receivers; the tops are serrated for glare reduction.

Stock Configuration & Condition: 

220425EH001: The stocks are a two piece checkered, gloss finished select walnut set. The forend has checkering on each side with three diamonds on the bottom, the front and rear are checkered, the middle diamond is smooth. The butt stock has checkering on the pistol grip with a fluted comb, blued steel grip cap and textured black plastic buttplate. The stocks have no notable wear or damage, only light handling marks. The checkering is sharp. There are no chips or cracks. The LOP measures 13 7/8” from the front of the trigger to the back of the butt plate; the plate has a couple of light nicks at the heel. The stocks rate in Excellent overall condition.

220425EH002: The stocks are a two piece checkered, gloss finished select walnut set. The forend has checkering on each side with three diamonds on the bottom, the front and rear are checkered, the middle diamond is smooth. The butt stock has checkering on the pistol grip with a fluted comb, blued steel grip cap and textured black plastic buttplate. The forend has no notable wear or damage, only light handling marks. The stocks have no notable wear or damage, only light handling marks. The checkering is sharp. There are no chips or cracks. The LOP measures 14” from the front of the trigger to the back of the butt plate; the plate has a couple of light nicks at the heel. The stocks rate in Excellent overall condition.

220425EH003: The stocks are a two piece checkered, gloss finished select walnut set. The forend has double diamond and surrounding checkers on both sides. The butt stock has checkering on the pistol grip with a fluted comb, blued steel grip cap and textured black plastic buttplate. The buttstock has a small, faint scratch on the left of the wrist in front of the checkering. There is no other notable wear or damage in the stocks, only light handling marks. The checkering is sharp. There are no chips or cracks. The LOP measures 13 7/8” from the front of the trigger to the back of the butt plate; the plate has no notable wear or damage. The stocks rate in about Excellent overall condition.

Type of Finish: Blue with Gold Accents

Finish Originality: Original

Bore Condition: The bores are bright. There is no erosion.

Overall Condition: 

220425EH001: This shotgun retains about 99% of its metal finish. There is faint operational wear on the action bar. Otherwise, there are only light handling marks. The screw heads are sharp. The markings are clear. Overall, this shotgun rates in Excellent condition.

220425EH002: This shotgun retains about 98% of its metal finish. The magazine tube and action bar have faint operational wear. There are a few minor nicks on the top-rear of the receiver. Otherwise, there are only light handling marks. The screw heads are sharp, the markings are clear. Overall, this shotgun rates in about Excellent condition.

220425EH003: This shotgun retains about 98% of its metal finish. The magazine tube and action bar have very faint operational wear. Otherwise, there are only light handling marks. The screw heads are sharp. The markings are clear. Overall, this shotgun rates in about Excellent condition.

Mechanics: The actions function correctly. These shotguns take down in seconds for easy storage and maintenance. We have not fired these shotguns. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance standards.

Box, Paperwork & Accessories: Each shotgun comes with a two-piece black cardboard Browning box with serial matching labels, styrofoam inserts, and plastic sleeves for the two main assemblies including wax paper. The 28 gauge Model 12 and the Model 42 boxes have manuals, the 20 gauge Model 12 box does not. The exterior of the boxes have scattered wear, most notable on the 20 gauge box which also shows damage from water or oil. The styrofoam inserts have wear from the contents.

Our Assessment: What a set! When Browning had these shotguns produced by Miroku, Winchester had discontinued both the Model 12 and 42, making this a first opportunity for some and a last opportunity for many to get their hands on new production guns. Some of this production run was given over to standard Grade I guns, but there were also a limited number of Grade V guns produced. The production runs for the 20 and 28 gauge Model 12s were separate while there was some overlap of production of the Model 42, which meant that there weren’t all that many three-gun sets sold together as some didn’t want to wait to get their guns. This Grade V set is in Excellent condition with all three of the original boxes and these guns are beauties! From the select walnut stocks to the beautiful engraving and gold accents, these shotguns will take a prized place in any collection. If you’re a collector of Winchester or Browning shotguns, don’t let this set pass you by. Please see our photos and good luck!