Browning Superposed Pigeon Grade 30″ Vent-Rib SST O/U Double Barrel Shotgun & Case 1965 C&R 12 Gauge

SOLD FOR: $1,813.00
LSB#: 
180815DC43

Make: FN, In Belgium, for Browning.

Model: Superposed, Pigeon Grade Long Tang

Serial Number: 37666 S5

Year of Manufacture: 1965

Gauge: 12 Gauge, 2 3/4″ Shells

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

Markings: The left side of the upper barrel is marked “BROWNING ARMS COMPANY”. The right of the upper barrel is marked “12 GA – SHELLS 2 3/4″ – MADE IN BELGIUM – BROWNING PATENT”. The left side of the top barrel at the rear is marked “*” and the bottom with “*-“, under the forearm each is marked with “12-70” in oval and Belgian proofs. The left side of the monoblock under the ejector arm is marked with the serial number. The underside of the cocking lifter and the left side of the forend latch are marked with the serial number. The receiver has Pigeon Grade scroll engraving with a pair of pigeons on each side, relief-cut leaves to each side of the lever and border engraving around the features. The water table is marked with Belgian proofs. The upper tang has the serial number.

Barrel Length: 30″, With Wide Vent-Rib

Choke: Fixed Full over Improved Modified

Sights / Optics: This shotgun is mounted with a base for a bead (the bead is missing) at the front of the wide vent-rib at the muzzle and with a smaller white mid-bead. The vent rib has in-line serrations in the middle with checkereing on each side.

Stock Configuration & Condition: The stocks are a two piece checkered select walnut set with finger grooves on the forend, flat-bottom pistol grip, straight comb and ventilated black rubber Pachmayr White line recoil pad mounted behind a series of black and white spacers. There is no evidence of erosion at the metal junctures (according to the Blue Book, this shotgun was made before Browning began using salt-wood). The forend has bruising on the right at the front, a moderate drag line across the finger groove on the right toward the front and scattered light scuffs, scrapes and cmopressions. The buttstock has had the finish stripped along the comb, the top half of the right side, the top 1″ of the left side and around the edge of the butt with a few scattered spots where it looks like drops of the stripping agent fell. The rear edge appears to have been shaped to fit the spacers and pad with the shaping slightly rougher at the toe. The buttstock has some scattered light compressions and drag lines with a few spots of pooled finish. There are no chips or cracks. The checkering is well defined except where interrupted by marks. The LOP measures 14 3/8” from the front of the gold-plated trigger to the back of the recoil pad, 12 1/2″ to the back of the wood. The pad is still supple with little to no wear, in about Excellent condition. Drop at comb is approximately 1 9/16”, drop at the heel is approximately 1 3/4”. The stocks rate in about Very Good overall condition as refinished/partially finished.

Type of Finish: Blue Barrels, Silvered Gray Receiver

Finish Originality: Original

Bore Condition: The top bore is bright with no erosion. The bottom bore is mostly bright with a patch of light erosion in the bottom half about mid-way down the bore and some scattered very light erosion on the bottom behind that.

Overall Condition: This shotgun retains about 92% of its metal finish. The barrel set has thinning at the muzzles, operational wear from disassembly forward of the forend and a spot of light surface erosion which has been scrubbed out on the right of the bottom barrel approximately 9.5″ from the muzzle. The receiver has wear in its silvered finish on the bottom and on the top tang, but the wear blends well with the silvered finish. There is some yellow-ish residue from the stock finish around the edges of the receiver. The trigger has extensive wear on the front face and scattered wear on the sides in its gold finish The screw-heads are sharp. The markings are clear. Overall, this shotgun rates in about Very Good condition.

Mechanics: The action functions correctly. The shotgun features a single selective trigger and ejectors. 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 automatically engage when the shotgun is opened. 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: This shotgun comes in a hard-sided browning case. The blue felt-lined interior has compartments for the stocked receiver, barrel set and accessories. In the case is a small jar of Stos lubricant, a two-piece cleaning rod with bristle brush tip and a manual. The exterior of the box has scattered scrapes and scuffs with the leather reinforcement at the ends showing missing/broken stitching, light tears and fraying. The interior has light wear from the contents with a few small tears in the felt. Overall, the case is in about Good condition.

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 Pigeon Grade, 12 Gauge from 1965, in about Very Good condition, showing tight metal and wood fit, 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. This shotgun is in about Very Good condition with about 92% of its finish, some light erosion in the bottom bore, strong mechanics, some wear in the stocks including what appears to be an unfinished re-finish job from the installation of a recoil pad. This shotgun has clearly served its former user well for a good long time and there’s no reason to think that it won’t do the same for lifetimes to come. Please see our photos and good luck!

CA Legal or CA Private Party Transferable: This C&R eligible shotgun can be transferred in California. All cartridge firing firearms including C&R and Antiques must be DROS’d at an FFL. This does not apply to out of state residents.

Browning Superposed Pigeon Grade 30" Vent-Rib SST O/U Double Barrel Shotgun & Case 1965 C&R 12 Gauge
Browning Superposed Pigeon Grade 30″ Vent-Rib SST
O/U Double Barrel Shotgun & Case 1965 C&R 12 Gauge