Browning Superposed First Production Run 12GA 26” O/U Shotgun C&R 1930s
SOLD FOR: $1,050.00
LSB#: LSB250729TC058
Make: Browning
Model: Superposed
Serial Number: 9509
Year of Manufacture: 1931-1939 (https://www.browning.com/support/date-your-firearm/superposed-shotgun.html)
Gauge: 12 Gauge, 2¾ ” Shells
Action Type: Over/Under, Top Break Shotgun w/ Ejectors, and Single selective inertial trigger.
Barrel Length: 26” Low Rib.
Choke: The barrels are marked for Modified over Improved Cylinder. Our Choke gauge reads Improved Modified over Modified.
Sights / Optics: The shotgun has a silver elevated bead front sight and a mid bead silver sight in the rib.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The furniture is a two-piece checkered walnut set. The stock is a prince of wales style with a round bottom semi pistol grip, fluted straight comb, and a Kick EEZ rubber butt pad. The length of pull has been shortened to 13.25”. The drop at comb is 1.75” and the drop at heel is 1.75”. The cast is right handed. The shotgun weighs 6lbs 11 OZ. The forend in the rounded traditional style Superposed non removable forend. The wood shows compressions, lines, and dulled checkering. The finish has worn off in several places. The forend shows a pinned repair and two cracks on the left side coming from the nose. There is also a small crack coming from the rear right edge of the upper tang. As stated above the stock has been cut down and a rubber butt pad added. Overall the furniture set is in Fair condition.
Type of Finish: Blue
Finish Originality: Original.
Bore Condition: The smooth bores are mirror bright with minor visible lines from use, the forcing cones show minor visible plastic fouling and no erosion. The top barrel shows a small marr from where the mid bead was installed. The top barrel also shows a barely visible ring shaped deformation about 2/3rds of the way down the barrel. In this writer’s opinion the bottom barrel rates 9.5/10 and the top barrel 6/10.
Overall Condition: This shotgun retains about 75% of its metal finish. The majority of the finish loss is on the bottom of the receiver, the lower tang, the forend iron, and the left side of the upper barrel. There is finish loss and minor surface rust on that left side of the upper barrel near that ring like deformation. The upper tang shows minor surface rust freckling as well. The inside of the action shows discoloration and rub wear from use. The upper tang and safety show rub wear from use. The markings are legible, the screw heads are sharp, and the pins un-marred. Overall this shotgun is in about Fair condition.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly including the ejectors. The shotgun features a single selective 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: None.
Our Assessment: This Browning Superposed 12 gauge from the early 1930s is a member of the first production run of the Superposed shotgun, a fine example of the beginnings of over / under shotgun craftsmanship, designed by the legendary John Moses Browning and completed by his son Val Browning after his death. As one of the last designs John Browning personally worked on, the Superposed is deeply respected for its elegant lines, robust engineering, and smooth handling characteristics. This particular model features 26 inch barrels with fixed chokes, MOD over IC, a classic upland combination that offers effective patterns for flushing game birds and even modern day sporting clays. The 2 3/4″ chambers make it ideal for standard game loads and clay shooting, reflecting the norms of the time before 3″ magnum shells became widespread.
The walnut furniture is a hallmark of the Superposed’s beauty, hand-checkered and richly finished, and this example includes the graceful Prince of Wales grip, a semi-pistol grip that blends control with elegant styling. The result is a shotgun that shoulders naturally, balances well, and carries with the dignity of a fine European-inspired sporting arm. These first production models like this were the more “affordable” version of the Superposed, but even so, they carried fit and finish well beyond most production shotguns of the era. Made in Belgium at FN’s Herstal factory, this early 1930s Superposed is an enduring symbol of Browning’s genius and quality production. Although this shotgun has had many modifications over its 90ish year life span you can see that ever enduring manufacturing quality still present. To better understand this Superposed please see our high quality photos via the link and best of luck with your bidding!!!-R.L.
