Belgium Browning Superposed Diana Grade, 2 Barrel Set, Blue, French Gray & Gold Inlay 26 & 28” 20 Gauge Over Under Shotgun & Luggage Case, MFD 1963 C&R

SOLD FOR: $9.406

LSB#: 160205JC12

Make: Browning

Model: Superposed, Diana Grade, 2 Barrel Set

Serial Number: 28784V3

Year of Manufacture: 1963 (Proofhouse.com)

Gauge: 20, 2 3/4” & 3” Shells

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

Markings:
26 ½” Barrel set: The left side of the upper barrel is marked “BROWNING ARMS COMPANY ST LOUIS MO & MONTREAL P.Q. / MADE IN BELGIUM”, with a Liege proof and “20-75” in oval, the left side of the lower barrel is marked with the same proofs, the underside is marked “15.4” with a provisional proof, the right side is marked “SPECIAL STEEL-20 GA-SHELLS 2 ¾” AND 3” / PATENTS NO 2,203,378-223386”. The left side of the barrel lug is marked “**S” / “**S” (Skeet / Skeet), “28784 / FN1 / V” (the V is faded from polishing after stamping). The underside flat of the lug has faded markings from the material having been polished after finishing. The underside of the cocking lever lifter is marked with the serial number (the marking is very light, from having been finished with cris-crossed patterns), the forend takedown lever is marked “11 / 28784V / 07”, the underside of the claw latch is marked with the serial number. The rear face of the ejectors are marked “O / U”, respectively and the insides are marked “84”. The butt plate is marked “BROWNING”.

28” Barrel Set: The left side of the upper barrel is marked “BROWNING ARMS COMPANY ST LOUIS MO & MONTREAL P.Q. / MADE IN BELGIUM”, with a Liege proof and “20-75” in oval, the left side of the lower barrel is marked with the same proofs, the underside is marked “15.4” with a provisional proof, the right side is marked “SPECIAL STEEL-20 GA-SHELLS 2 ¾” AND 3” / PATENTS NO 2,203,378-223386”. The left side of the barrel lug is marked “*” / “**” (Full / Modified), “28784 / FN2 / V3”. The underside flat of the lug has faded markings from the material having been polished during finishing. The underside of the cocking lever lifter is marked with the serial number (the marking is very light, from having been finished with cris-crossed patterns), the forend takedown lever is marked “M1 / 28784V / 07 / 2”, the underside of the claw latch is marked with the serial number. The rear face of the ejectors are marked “O / U”, respectively and the insides are marked “84”.

The upper tang, under the lever, is marked with the serial number; the letters “O / U / S” are gold-filled, for barrel selection and safety indication. The inside flats are marked crown over “PV”, “*” over “L” and the Perron proof. The left side of the frame is hand etched “LEGIERS”, who was a self employed engraver, mentioned on page 210 of Ned Schwing’s ‘The Browning Superposed’ book. This was a custom order shotgun, the underside of the trigger guard has sculpted gold inlay of the initials “JEG”; the scripted gold lettering is raised above the trigger guard metal. The frame and French Gray finished components have high relief Diana Grade engraving, depicting intricate floral designs; the flanks and underside of the frame have highly detailed birds amid forestry. Please see our pictures of this stunning shotgun!

Barrel Length: 26 ½” & 28”

Choke: 26 ½”: Skeet / Skeet, 28”: Full / Modified

Sights / Optics: Both barrel sets have steel beads installed onto the full length ventilated ribs. The top of the ribs are finely checkered for glare reduction.

Stock Configuration & Condition: The shotgun has finely checkered Claro walnut stocks. The 26 ½” barrel set forearm shows some very shallow scuff marks with the tip expressing a couple lines of light compression marks. The 28” barrel set forearm shows some scattered light marks, mostly visible in the smooth portions; the left side, near the top, shows a series of shallow compression marks. The butt stock has fine checkering which wraps around the wrist; portions have slight discoloration from handling. The stock shows scattered handling marks, with areas of notable compression on the toe at the belly and in lighter form on the flanks; the right side, near the frame, shows some scattered scuffs and shallow scratch marks. Please see our pictures. The drop at comb is 1 3/8”, the drop at heel is 2 1/8”. The length of pull is 14 ¼” from the front of the gold plated trigger to the back of the Browning marked shotgun-style pebbled black plastic butt plate. The plate has some portions of compressed fowling, with scuffs and a few indentations, rating in Very Good to Fine condition. The stocks rate in Fine Plus condition.

Type of Finish: French Gray & Blued, with Raised Gold Initials on the Trigger Guard & Gold Filled Lettering On the Upper Tang.

Finish Originality: All Original

Bore Condition: The bores on both barrel sets are bright. There is no erosion.

Overall Condition: This shotgun retains about 95% of its metal finish. The balance of the finish shows some wear on the lower barrels of both sets from the forend sliding on the surfaces, during installation and removal; the sets show some expected wear on the lugs and portions that are not exposed when installed to the frame, from normal use; both sets have thinning at the muzzles with light marks. The 28” set’s serrated release lever shows compression and darkening. The Skeet / Skeet barrel set’s rib has a nick and the rib is bent (this is the third segment of rib from the breech); this damage does not affect one’s view when sighting down the rib; the barrels show scattered marks near the muzzle, continuing rearward for a few inches. The trigger guard shows a shallow crack heading from the gold “J”, with another smaller surface crack just aft of the lettering, in some of the engraving details; there are light marks and areas of darkening on some of the French Gray parts. The screw heads are engraved, showing fine detail. There is only very light evidence of screwdriver use. The markings are faded on the internal portions from polishing at the end of the engraving process; the visible markings are clear, though the barrel sets have some lightly struck detail on the ‘MADE IN BELGIUM’ marks. Overall, this shotgun rates Excellent condition; the section of bent rib on the 26 1/2″ barrel set and hairline surface crack on the trigger guard may lower the NRA condition to some but we needed a magnifying glass to catch the cracks and the rib does not obstruct one’s view; it was probably incurred from being set into a shotgun rack at the range a little too hard.

Mechanics: The action functions correctly. This shot gun features a single selective inertia trigger with ejectors. The trigger break crisp and the action closes with a satisfying ‘clunk’ indicative of FN Browning’s exceptional craftsmanship. 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 Browning brand leather bound hard luggage case that fits both barrel sets and the frame. The case has some compression and light staining on the inside, the lid has a diamond formed from segments of gray tape and there are general scuff / scratch marks present, infrequently occurring on the outside, the case is in Fine condition. Also included is a wood and brass three-piece cleaning rod, copper cleaning brush, two containers of cleaning oil (Fulcrum oil & Lubriplate), a brass jag, some cleaning patches, a Dayton, Ohio Hilton shoe cleaner cloth, Browning luggage case pamphlet and one key for the case.

Our Assessment: This is an absolutely beautiful Belgian Fabrique Nationale made Browning Superposed Diana Grade, engraved by Charles Legiers, who was a self employed artist, used by Browning for special order items. This is a serialized two barrel set that was custom ordered by someone whose initials are “JEG”, as evidenced by the scripted, raised gold inlaid lettering on the trigger guard. The wood shows light marks and a few notable compressions, but no cracks or losses. The trigger guard has a couple of surface cracks that are shown in our picture set and were not found until we used a magnifying glass to inspect the surfaces; the 26 ½” barrel has a nick, resulting in deformation of the rib in one section; this looks to have happened a while ago as the nick shows some patina forming on the bare metal; this damage looks to have been caused by setting the shotgun into a rack a little too hard; this barrel set also shows some marks near the muzzle, both sets have wear consistent with normal use and about 95% of the finish on the whole set remains. Included is a leather bound luggage case, a three piece cleaning rod, jag, brush, two oil containers, a key for the case and some cleaning patches. This set is one of a kind and will be welcomed into any collection. Please see our pictures and good luck!