Browning Superposed Lightning 4 Barrel Set Over Under Shotgun C&R 1973
SOLD FOR: $4,675.00
LSB#: LSB250729TC048
Make: Browning
Model: Superposed Lightning
Serial Number: 24508 S73, all the barrels are marked “24508 S3”
Year of Manufacture: 1973
Gauge: 12 Gauge 2.75” Shells, 20 Gauge 2.75”, 28 Gauge 2.75”, 410 Bore 2.75” & 3”
Action Type: Over/Under, Top Break Shotgun w/ Ejectors, and Single selective mechanical trigger.
Barrel Length: 28” 12 Gauge, 26.5” for the other three barrels.
Chokes: The 12 gauge barrel set is fixed MOD over IC. The other barrels are fixed FULL/FULL.
Sights / Optics: The 12 gauge barrel has a small silver bead front sight. The other three barrels have small white bead front sights. All four barrels have checkered ribs for reducing glare.
Stock Configuration & Condition: This furniture set is made from checkered walnut and includes round profile Lightning style non removable forend and a semi-pistol grip stock with fluted straight comb and black rubber vented butt pad. The Length of pull is 14”, the drop at comb is 1.5” and the drop at heel is 2.25”. The cast is very slightly right handed. The shotgun weighs 7lbs 10OZ with the 28” 12 gauge. The fore end shows some scattered light handling marks with a notable crack in the right rear side of the forend. There are also chips in the high gloss finish scattered throughout primarily around the edges of the lower tang. There is also a crack on the left side of the forend mirroring the right side. The comb shows two chips in the gloss finish. The butt pad is soft and pliable. The pad is loose on the stock. The stock shows no visible cracks. Overall the stock is in Good+ to Very Good condition while the forend is in Poor condition.
Type of Finish: Blue
Finish Originality: Original.
Bore Condition:
12 GA: The bores are bright with no visible pitting or erosion. There are some very minor visible lines from use with some barely visible plastic fouling. 9.5/10.
20 GA: The bores are bright with no visible erosion. The top bore shows moderate lines from use while the bottom barrel shows minimal lines. The bores show only minimal plastic fouling. 9/10.
28GA: The bores are bright with no visible erosion. The top bore shows moderate lines from use while the bottom barrel shows minimal lines. The bores show only minimal plastic fouling. 9/10.
410 Bore: The bores are bright with no visible erosion. The top bore shows moderate lines from use while the bottom barrel shows minimal lines. The bores show only minimal plastic fouling. 9/10.
Overall Condition: This shotgun retains about 92% of its metal finish. The receiver shows rub wear under the safety and minimal rub wear inside the action. The trigger retains almost all of its finish. The 12 gauge barrel set shows some minor rub wear on the sides of the block. There is also a section of the rib that has been dented. The 20 gauge barrels show some rub wear on the sides of the monobloc and the wood scales show some wear. The right side scale is loose. The 28 gauge barrels show some rub wear and surface rust scattered in the recesses of the block. There is also some surface rust in the rib vents. The 410 bore set is in very similar condition to the 28 gauge set. The markings are clear and the screw heads are sharp. Overall the set is in about Good+ condition.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly including the ejectors. The action is very stiff and will need to be oiled and worked in a little to restore smooth operation. The shotgun features a single selective inertial trigger. There is zero movement between the barrel sets and the 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 includes the four barrel sets, the forend, stocked receiver and a Browning luggage style case.
Our Assessment: This 1973 Browning Superposed Lightning four barrel set is a finely fitted over/under built for both sporting versatility and collectible appeal. It comes with four matched barrel sets: a 28″ 12 Gauge set, choked Modified over IC for upland hunting and sporting clays; and three 26.5” barrel sets, 20GA, 28GA, and 410 Bore all choked Full over Full. These sets can be used for training for sporting clays disciplines, bird hunting, or as they retain their wall thickness sent off to be fitted with thin wall interchangeable chokes. The barrels all carry front beads for fast, repeatable target acquisition, and they are serial-matched to the receiver, confirming the set’s originality and desirability to collectors. The furniture set includes one rounded profile forend that can be swapped between barrel sets thanks to each barrel’s wood scales.
The stock is a semi-pistol grip 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 four barrel sets with sub gauges makes this example unusually adaptable for whatever shooting discipline appeals to the new owner. As a matched-barrel Lightning set from 1973, it combines practical field utility with strong collector value thanks to its condition, original serial-matching barrels, and the durable, well-executed Superposed Lightning design. Please see our high quality photos via the link and best of luck with your bidding!!!-R.L.
