Custom Engraved FN Browning Superposed 12 GA 28″ Double Shotgun, 1959 C&R
SOLD FOR: $4,000.00
LSB#: 240203MT011
Make: FN, In Belgium, for Browning.
Model: Superposed
Serial Number: 73791
Year of Manufacture: 1959 (https://www.browning.com/support/date-your-firearm/superposed-shotgun.html)
Gauge: 12 Gauge, 2 3/4? Shells
Action Type: Over / Under, Top Break Shotgun with Ejectors & Single Selective Inertial Trigger.
Barrel Length: 28”, Vent-Rib
Choke: Fixed Full over Fixed Modified
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a metal bead at the front of the rib. The top of the rib is checkered for glare reduction.
Weight: 7 lb., 1.8 oz.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The stocks are two-piece checkered walnut with a round bottom pistol grip, straight comb, and a Browning hard buttplate. There are some scuffs and compressions throughout the wood, more so on the buttstock. There are some scattered light handling marks. The checkering is sharp. The LOP measures 14 1/8” from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttplate. The plate has some scattered wear. Drop at comb is approximately 1 1/2″, drop at heel 2 3/8″. The cast is slightly off, almost neutral. Overall, the stocks are in about Fine condition.
Type of Finish: Blue
Finish Originality: Original
Bore Condition: The bores are mostly bright. There is light erosion infrequently scattered in the upper bore. In this writer’s opinion, the bores collectively rate 8.5 out of 10.
Overall Condition: This shotgun retains about 95% of its metal finish. There is light thinning on the edges and around the muzzles. The gold scenes on the right side of the receiver are slightly discolored. The barrel set has a few little nicks and faint scratches and a spot of oxidation on the bottom of the lower barrel. There are some streaks of operational wear on the lower barrel. The markings are clear. The screw heads are sharp to lightly worn with strong slots. Overall, this shotgun is in about Fine condition.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly including the ejectors. 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 hard case.
Our Assessment: After the death of John Browning, his son Val would complete an over under shotgun with a single selective trigger and ejectors; the Superposed was introduced in 1931, it was an instant success; the factory did not produce any of these shotguns during WWII but just after the war ended, the factory came roaring back to life, creating some of their best product to date. This is a post-war FN produced 12 Gauge from 1959, in about Fine condition, retaining about 95% of its metal finish. There is some wear to the metal and wood but the action is still spot on and the trigger is crisp. Val’s SST is still known as one of the most reliable and ingenious of its kind, even though the patent is nearing 100 years in practice. With barrels choked Fixed Full over Fixed Modified, this is going to make for a nice shotgun for the field or the range. The receiver and barrel have been scroll engraved with molded gold hunting dog and fowl scenes skillfully applied to each frame flat. Per the consignor, this gun was engraved by Hamada & Son in Tokyo, Japan, a popular company among American servicemen stationed on the island. Please see our photos and good luck!
-Greenfield
