Browning Superposed Pigeon Grade Trap 30” 12GA 2 3/4″ FULL/IM 1963 C&R
SOLD FOR: $2,675.00
LSB#: LSB250520NP070
Make: Browning
Model: Superposed Pigeon Grade
Serial Number: 8361 S3
Year of Manufacture: 1963 (https://www.browning.com/support/date-your-firearm/superposed-shotgun.html)
Gauge: 12 Gauge 2 ¾”
Action Type: Over/Under, Top Break Shotgun w/ Ejectors and single selective inertial trigger.
Markings: The left side of the upper barrel is marked “BROWNING ARMS COMPANY St LOUIS MO & MONTREAL PQ. SPECIAL STEEL-12GA-SHELLS 2 ¾””. The right side of the barrel is marked “PATENTS No 2.203.378-2.23386 MADE IN BELGIUM”. The left side of the monobloc is marked “8361 S3” and “*/*-”, also several proofs. The forend mounting metal is marked and tabs are marked with the serial number. The top tang is marked “8361 S3”, the water table is marked with a Belgian proof and an inspector’s mark. The receiver has Pigeon Grade engraving.
Barrel Length: 30” Vent rib barrel.
Choke: Fixed FULL over Improved Modified.
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a White bead fixed to the rib with a smaller white mid-bead. The rib has checkering for glare reduction.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The stock and forend are a two piece high gloss checkered walnut furniture set. The stock is a semi-pistol grip, fluted straight comb, with a brown rubber vented Browning buttpad. The LOP measures approximately 14.25” from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttpad. The stock cast is very slightly right handed leaning towards almost neutral. The drop at comb is 1.5” and the drop at heel is 1.5”. The shotgun weighs 8lbs. The forend is a checkered, tapered full finger shelf forend. The buttpad shows minor wear and is still pliable. The finish on the wood shows crazing scattered throughout with some flaking on the edges of the checkering on the forend. The wood shows some scattered lines and minor compressions. There are no visible chips or cracks. There is a piece of tape stuck to the comb. Overall the furniture set is in Good+ to Very Good condition.
Type of Finish: Blue & French Grey (Coin) finish.
Finish Originality: Original.
Bore Condition: The smooth bores are mirror bright with no erosion. They do show some lines from use with some plastic fouling in the bores. The top barrel shows more plastic fouling than the bottom barrel. In this writer’s opinion the bores rate 9.5/10.
Overall Condition: This shotgun retains about 99% of its metal finish. There is light finish wear on the edges of the muzzle. The lower barrel has some rub wear from the non removable forend and some scattered minor marks. The top barrel left side has a notable rub mark. The screwheads are sharp and the pinheads are clean. Where the wood meets the metal there is some finish discoloration, this appears to be bleed over from stain or maybe some light surface rust. This shotgun is pre pre-salt wood era. The markings are clear. Overall, this shotgun is in about Very Good condition.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly including the ejectors. There is 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: The 1963 Browning Superposed Pigeon Grade Trap model is a finely crafted over/under shotgun built during the golden age of Belgian gunmaking. Its 30? fixed choke barrels, with Full over Improved Modified constriction, are perfectly tuned for trap shooting, offering tight, consistent shot patterns at long distances. The barrels are precisely fitted to the low-profile receiver, which is hand-engraved with pigeon game scenes, a hallmark of the Pigeon Grade’s elevated status within the Superposed lineup. These engravings were done by master artisans, often signed discreetly and individualized, making each gun subtly unique.
This shotgun wears a two-piece set of high-gloss checkered walnut furniture. The stock features a semi-pistol grip and a fluted straight comb, giving it classic trap gun geometry while aiding cheek weld consistency. A Browning-branded vented rubber buttpad adds both comfort and recoil control. The tapered, full-finger-shelf forend provides a solid forward grip, allowing shooters to better manage follow-through and muzzle control. Altogether, this 1963 Pigeon Grade Trap model embodies both form and function, melding heritage handcraftsmanship with competition-level shooting characteristics in a shotgun that still stands tall among enthusiasts and collectors alike. Please see our high quality photos via the link and best of luck with your bidding.-R.L.
