FN Browning Superposed Diana Grade 4 Barrel Set 12 20 28 410 GA C&R 1 of 65

SOLD FOR: $10026

LSB#: 230523PB001

Make: FN, In Belgium, for Browning.

Model: Superposed Diana Grade Four Barrel Set

Serial Number: 5229S72

Year of Manufacture: 1972 (https://www.browning.com/support/date-your-firearm/superposed-shotgun.html)

Gauge: 12 Gauge, 2 3/4″ Shells, 20 Gauge 2 3/4″ Shells, 28 Gauge 2 3/4″ Shells, .410 Bore 2 3/4″ Shells

Action Type: Over / Under, Top Break Shotgun with Ejectors & Single Selective Mechanical Trigger.

Markings: The forend wood is stamped “5229”. The left of the forend latch, the latch spring-loaded release is marked, and the cocking lever lifter are all marked “5229”. The top tang is marked “5229 S72”. There are proofs on the watertable. The receiver has Diana Grade engraving done by engraver Richard Kowalski. The receiver has scroll relief engraving with game scenes. The left side of the receiver is signed “R. KOWALSKI”.

12 GA: The left of the top barrel is marked “BROWNING ARMS COMPANY MORGAN, UTAH & MONTREAL P.Q. / MADE IN BELGIUM”. The right side of the top barrel is marked “BROWNING SUPERPOSED / SPECIAL STEEL – 12 GA. – SHELLS 2 3/4” / BROWNING PATENTS”. At the breech on the left both barrels are marked “**$” and the bottom chamber is marked with the serial number and “1”. There are inspector marks on the bottom of the monoblock between the lugs.

20 GA: The left of the top barrel is marked “BROWNING ARMS COMPANY MORGAN, UTAH & MONTREAL P.Q. / MADE IN BELGIUM”. The right side of the top barrel is marked “BROWNING SUPERPOSED / SPECIAL STEEL – 20 GA. – SHELLS 2 3/4” / BROWNING PATENTS”. At the breech on the left both barrels are marked “**$” and the bottom chamber is marked with the serial number and “2”. There are inspector marks on the bottom of the monoblock between the lugs.

28 GA: The left of the top barrel is marked “BROWNING ARMS COMPANY MORGAN, UTAH & MONTREAL P.Q. / MADE IN BELGIUM”. The right side of the top barrel is marked “BROWNING SUPERPOSED / SPECIAL STEEL – 28 GA – SHELLS 2 3/4” / BROWNING PATENTS”. At the breech on the left both barrels are marked “**$” and the bottom chamber is marked with the serial number and “3”. There are inspector marks on the bottom of the monoblock between the lugs.

.410 Bore: The left of the top barrel is marked “BROWNING ARMS COMPANY MORGAN, UTAH & MONTREAL P.Q. / MADE IN BELGIUM”. The right side of the top barrel is marked “BROWNING SUPERPOSED / SPECIAL STEEL – .410 GA. – SHELLS 2 3/4″”. At the breech on the left both barrels are marked “**$” and the bottom chamber is marked with the serial number and “4”. There are inspector marks on the bottom of the monoblock between the lugs.

Barrel Length: All four barrel sets are 28″ with a vent rib.

Choke: All barrels are choked Fixed Skeet

Sights / Optics: All barrel sets have the same sighting configuration. The front sight is a white bead at the muzzle and there is a smaller white midbead. The top of the rib is checkered for glare reduction.

Weight: 7 Lb. 12 Oz.

Stock Configuration & Condition: The stocks are two-piece checkered walnut with a pistol grip, straight comb, finger groove forend, and a Browning buttpad. There is a faint hairline crack on the top of the wrist at the rear of the tang, it is so thin it blends into the grain and will likely go unnoticed. There is a crack on the left side of the forend at the top rear corner and there is a less noticeable crack on the right side at the same location. There are some scattered compressions and draglines. There are some light handling marks. There are one or two little minor marks through the finish. The checkering is mostly strong and intact. The LOP measures 14 3/8” from the front of the trigger to the back of the Browning buttpad and 13 3/8″ to the wood. The drop at comb is approximately 1 1/2? and the drop at heel is approximately 1 7/8?. The pad has light wear. The cast is neutral. Overall, the stocks are in about Fine condition.

Type of Finish: Blue & French Gray

Finish Originality: Original

Bore Condition: The bores are bright. There is no erosion but some have traces of stubborn fouling. In my opinion, the bores rate 10 out of 10.

Overall Condition: This shotgun retains about 95% of its metal finish. The French gray portions have some areas of discoloration and oxidation, the most noticeable areas are on the tangs and safety. There are some light marks on the blued components, some through the finish. There are some spots of discoloration on the bright portions at the muzzles. There is some faint thinning on the edges at the muzzles. There are considerably more spots of wear on the 28 Gauge barrel in the form of little nicks and marks through the finish toward the muzzles. There are some scattered oil marks. The markings are clear. The screw heads are sharp to lightly used with strong slots. 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: Included is a factory Browning luggage case, key, and 12 GA chamber brush snapcaps.

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 Diana Grade from 1972, in about Fine condition, retaining about 95% of its metal finish. Only sixty five of these were made! While most would be extatic to have a Diana Grade, this is a four barrel set! All the barrels are 28″ vent ribbed and choked Skeet. The bores are bright and the mechanics are crisp over 50 years since this work of art left the factory. The engraving was done by Richard Kowalski, Diana grade guns were only allowed to be engraved by the best artisans employed. Mr. Kowalski’s talents also saw him become one of nine engravers skilled enough to work on the “C” Grade Exhibition models (The Browning Superposed by Ned Schwing, pg. 292), his work is that good! The scenes jump off the metal and speak for themselves, the work is beautiful and in a league of its own. This is a beautiful shotgun and would be a fantastic addition for anyone who fancies themselves a true collector. Please see our photos and good luck!

Some are hot, some are not, but thankfully most can be shot!
-Red