Browning Superposed Lightning 2 Barrel Set 12GA O/U Shotgun C&R 1963
SOLD FOR: $3,162.00
LSB#: LSB250718LT145
Make: Browning
Model: Superposed Lightning
Serial Number: 16255 S3, Both barrel sets are serial matching to the receiver.
Year of Manufacture: 1963
Gauge: 12 Gauge, 2¾ ” Shells
Action Type: Over/Under, Top Break Shotgun w/ Extractors, and Single selective inertial trigger.
Barrel Length: 28” Full Over MOD, and 26.25” Skeet Over Skeet
Sights / Optics: Both barrel sets have silver bead front sights, and both barrels have smaller brass mid beads. Both ribs are finely checkered to aid in reducing glare.
Stock Configuration & Condition: This furniture set is made from checkered walnut and includes round profile Lightning style non removable forends and a Prince of Wales grip stock with fluted straight comb and black rubber kick-eez butt pad. The Length of pull is 14”, the drop at comb is 1.5” and the drop at heel is 2”. The cast is about neutral. The shotgun weighs 7lbs 11OZ with the 28” barrel and 7lbs 9OZ with the skeet set. The stock shows scattered surface level lines, minor compressions, and a few small blisters in the gloss finish. The butt pad is soft and pliable showing almost no wear. The 28” forend shows similar wear with a few small spots of crazing. The Skeet set shows similar wear with some small punch marks on both sides of the forend near the main screw; there are three on the left and two on the right. None of the wood shows any chips or cracks. Overall the wood is in about Very Good condition.
Type of Finish: Blue
Finish Originality: Original.
Bore Condition: The skeet barrel set shows bright bores with no erosion. The barrels have some minor lines and plastic fouling from use. In this writer’s opinion the skeet set bores rate 9.25/10.
The 28” set bores are bright with no erosion showing minor lines from use with moderate to heavy plastic fouling in the forcing cones. It is this writer’s opinion that with a proper cleaning the plastic fouling should be able to be removed. In this writer’s opinion the bores rate 9/10.
Overall Condition: This two barrel set retains about 97% of its metal finish. Both barrel sets show scattered minor marks and the characteristic rub mark from the non removable forend. The receiver shows the majority of the finish loss, on the edges of the trigger guard and under the safety. The receiver and barrels both have some small scattered rust freckling spots mainly on the receiver’s lower tang. The receiver also shows some scattered rub wear. The markings are clear and the screw heads are sharp. Overall this shotgun is in Very Good condition.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly including the ejectors. The shotgun features a single selective inertial trigger. The forend is the Browning Non removable style forend. 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: This shotgun comes in a Browning luggage style case with the two barrel sets, and all the paperwork and pamphlets from 1963.
Our Assessment: This 1963 Browning Superposed Lightning two-barrel set is a finely fitted over/under built for both sporting versatility and collectible appeal. It comes with two matched barrel sets: a 28″ pair intended for trap and upland work, choked Full over Modified and ideal for longer-range target presentations and birdshot patterns; and a 26″ skeet set choked Skeet over Skeet for close-range skeet stations. Both barrels carry front beads and a mid-bead sight for fast, repeatable target acquisition, and they are serial-matched to the receiver, confirming the set’s originality and desirability to collectors. The Lightning-style furniture features rounded, non-removable forends and checkered walnut that provide a secure grip and the practical advantage of preventing a lost forend in the field.
The stock is a Prince of Wales pattern, giving the gun a balanced, classic silhouette that fits a variety of shooters while retaining sporting elegance. Mechanically the Superposed retains the model’s reputation for hand-fitted action and crisp lock-up, and the availability of two dedicated barrel sets makes this example unusually adaptable for trap and upland performance from the longer, full/mod tubes and responsive skeet handling from the shorter skeet set. As a matched-barrel Lightning set from 1963, it combines practical field utility with strong collector value thanks to its condition, original serial-matching barrels, and the durable, well-executed lighting-style furniture. Please see our high quality photos via the link and best of luck with your bidding!!!-R.L.
