Browning Miroku Model 12 Grade V Engraved 20 Ga. 26″ Pump Shotgun, MFD 1989
SOLD FOR: $1925
LSB#: 210629JS03
Make: Miroku in Japan, for Browning
Model: 12 Grade V
Serial Number: 03950PN932
Year of Manufacture: 1989
Gauge: 20 Gauge 2 3/4? Shells
Action Type: Pump / Slide Action, Tube Magazine Fed Takedown Shotguns
Markings: The left side of the barrel is marked “BROWNING MODEL 12 20 GA – 2 3/4? SHELLS ONLY MOD.”, with a “NP” proof, found again on top of the receiver to the left of the rib extension. The right side of the barrel is marked “BROWNING ARMS COMPANY MORGAN, UTAH & MONTREAL, P.Q. / MADE IN JAPAN”. The underside of the barrel extension is marked “03950”, the underside of the magazine tube and extension have indexing arrows. The bottom of the receiver is marked “03950 / PN932. The butt plate is marked “BROWNING”. The left side of the receiver has a scroll engraving surrounding dog and pheasant scene, the right a similarly surrounded waterfowl scene with the animals in both gold-plated.
Barrel Length: 26”
Choke: Modified, Fixed
Sights / Optics: This shotgun is mounted with a steel bead fixed to the front of its ventilated rib. The rib meets at an extension slotted onto the receiver; the top is serrated for glare reduction.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The stocks are a two piece checkered, gloss finished select walnut set. The forend has checkering on each side with three diamonds on the bottom, the front and rear are checkered, the middle diamond is smooth. The butt stock has checkering on the pistol grip with a fluted comb, blued steel grip cap and textured black plastic buttplate. The stocks have no notable wear or damage, only light handling marks. The checkering is sharp. There are no chips or cracks. The LOP measures 13 7/8” from the front of the trigger to the back of the butt plate; the plate has no notable wear or damage. The stocks rate in Excellent overall condition.
Type of Finish: Blue with Gold Accents
Finish Originality: Original
Bore Condition: The bore is bright. There is no erosion.
Overall Condition: This shotgun retains about 99% of its metal finish. There is faint operational wear on the slide handle and bolt and no other notable wear or damage, only light handling marks. The screw heads are sharp. The markings are clear. Overall, this shotgun rates in about Excellent condition.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. This shotgun takes down in seconds for easy storage and maintenance. 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 with a two-piece black cardboard Browning boxe with serial matching label, styrofoam inserts, plastic sleeves for the two main assemblies including wax paper, and an assortment of factory paperwork including manual.
Our Assessment: What a gun! When Browning had these shotguns produced by Miroku, Winchester had discontinued the Model 12, making this a first opportunity for some and a last opportunity for many to get their hands on new production guns. Some of this production run was given over to standard Grade I guns, but there were also a limited number of Grade V guns produced. The production runs for the 20 and 28 gauge Model 12s were separate while there was some overlap of production of the Model 42, which meant that there weren’t all that many three-gun sets sold together as some didn’t want to wait to get their guns. This Grade V Model 12 is in Excellent condition with its original box and this gun is a beauty! From the select walnut stocks to the beautiful engraving and gold accents, this shotgun will take a prized place in any collection. If you’re a collector of Winchester or Browning shotguns, don’t let this gun pass you by. Please see our photos and good luck!