Browning Citori Special Skeet Edition 28” Invector Plus Ported 20GA 1997
SOLD FOR: $1,876.00
LSB#: WY241108MC021
Make: Browning, Mfg. by Miroku
Model: Citori Special Skeet Edition TC3 code.
Serial Number: 23372NRTC3
Year of Manufacture: 1997 NR date code. (https://www.browning.com/support/date-your-firearm/citori-over-under-shotgun.html)
Caliber: 20 Gauge 2 3/4” Shells
Action Type: Over Under Shotgun, with Single Selective Inertial Trigger & Ejectors
Markings: The left side of the upper barrel is marked “BROWNING ARMS COMPANY MORGAN, UTAH & MONTREAL P.Q. / MADE IN JAPAN”. The left of the monoblock is marked “23372 INVECTOR PLUS 28””. The bottom of the monoblock is marked with “NP SP 2 ¾ 11”. The right side of the top barrel is marked “INVECTOR-PLUS CITORI SPECIAL STEEL 20GA-2 3/4””. The inside of the forend iron is marked “23372” and the inside of the forend is stamped “23372”. The top tang, under the lever, is marked with “23372NRTC3” and “S U O”. The bottom of the receiver is marked “BROWNING SKEET”. The buttpad is marked “BROWNING”. Both sides of the receiver are marked “SPECIAL SKEET EDITION”.
Barrel Length: 28” ported barrels with a checkered vented rib.
Choke: This shotgun is cut for Browning Invector Plus chokes. Currently installed skeet over skeet.
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a large white bead fixed to the front of the rib with a smaller white mid bead. The top of the rib is finely checkered for reducing glare.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The furniture set is a two piece checkered wood set with a tapered, full finger shelf, beavertail style forend and a semi-pistol grip fluted straight comb stock with a rubber vented buttpad. The length of pull is 14.25” from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttpad. The drop at comb is 1.5” and the drop at heel is 2”. The cast is slightly right handed . The shotgun weighs just over 7lbs. The forend shows a few very small marks in the high gloss finish with one notable mark on the right side at the end of the finger shelf. The stock shows a few small scattered marks in the finish and a small mark in the left side checkering of the pistol grip. The wood shows no visible cracks. There is one very small chip in the finish on the right side rear edge of the handguard. The buttpad is fairly rigid however it shows almost no signs of wear. There is some debris present that should be easily removed with a proper cleaning. Overall the furniture set on this shotgun is in about Excellent condition.
Type of Finish: Blued barrels and receiver with Gold Toned Trigger and writing.
Finish Originality: Original
Bore Condition: The smooth bores are mirror bright with no erosion. The barrels show only nearly invisible lines from use and no plastic fouling. In this writer’s opinion the bores rate 9.75/10.
Overall Condition: This gun retains about 99% of its metal finish. The barrel set shows some rub wear from the forend that is covered when assembled. The balance of the finish shows a few very minor scattered marks. The inside of the action shows very minor rub wear from use. The trigger has lost some of the gold finish on the right edge from use. The receiver under the safety has very minor finish loss from use. The screw heads are sharp. The markings are clear and the pins are clean. The receiver has begun to turn a plum hue. Overall, this gun rates in about Excellent condition.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. The shotgun features a single selective trigger and ejectors. The barrels lock up solidly. The safety does not engage automatically when the action is opened but does function properly when engaged manually. 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 a serialized box with Styrofoam insert, a product tag, and the two chokes.
Our Assessment: The Browning Citori Special Skeet Edition from 1997 is a premium over-under shotgun designed specifically for skeet shooting enthusiasts. It features 28 inch ported barrels cut for Invector Plus chokes, allowing for interchangeable choke tubes to fine tune the shot pattern. The porting reduces recoil and muzzle rise, enabling faster follow-up shots, an essential feature for competitive skeet shooting. Currently, it is set up with skeet over skeet chokes, making it well-suited for close-range clay target shooting. The checkered rib with a white front bead sight and white mid bead enhances sight alignment and quick target acquisition, crucial for skeet shooting.
This model boasts walnut furniture with fine checkering, delivering a combination of durability and elegance. The wood’s grain is attractive, as is standard for Browning shotguns, providing a comfortable and secure grip. A gold-toned trigger and gold inlaid markings on the receiver add a touch of sophistication, making this firearm both a functional tool and a collector’s piece. The build quality is hallmark Browning, with impeccable fit and finish ensuring reliability and smooth operation.
This Citori embodies a blend of Browning’s traditional craftsmanship and advanced engineering, making it a timeless choice for both competition and recreational skeet shooting. Please see our high quality photos via the link and best of luck with your bidding!!!-R.L.
