Funken Engraved Browning Superposed Pigeon Grade Multi-Barrel Shotgun C&R
SOLD FOR: $2,825.00
LSB#: 240117BG070
Make: FN, In Belgium, for Browning
Model: Superposed Pigeon Grade Three Barrel Set
Serial Number: 7053
Year of Manufacture: 1954
Gauge: 28 Gauge, 2 3/4” Shells; .410 Gauge, 2 1/2” Shells; and 20 Gauge, 2 3/4″ & 3” Shells
Action Type: Over / Under, Top Break Shotgun with Ejectors & Single Selective Inertia Trigger
Markings: The 20 gauge barrel set does not match the shotgun. The receiver has Pigeon grade engraving signed by Felix Funken.
Barrel Length: All three barrel sets are 26.5″ with ventilated ribs. The .410 and 28 gauge barrels are equipped with a Simmons rib.
Choke: The .410 and 28 gauge sets are choked Skeet over Skeet, fixed. The 20 gauge barrel set is choked Modified over Improved Cylinder, Fixed.
Sights / Optics: The 20 gauge set has a steel bead at the front of the ventilated rib. The other two barrel sets have a white plastic bead at the front of the rib and a smaller white alignment bead at the midway point.
Weight: The weight with the .410 barrel set is 6 lbs. 4.4 oz., the 28 set is 6 lbs. 5.1 oz., and with the 20 gauge set is 6 lbs. 3.4 oz.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The stocks are two-piece checkered walnut with a round-bottom pistol grip, straight comb, and a Browning buttplate. The left side of the forearm is chipped at the rear and cracked on the right. Otherwise, there are only some infrequently scattered faint handling marks, faint lines, and compressions. The checkering is generally sharp. The LOP measures 14 1/4” from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttplate. The drop at the comb for all barrel sets is approximately 1 1/2? and the drop at heel is approximately 2?. The plate has faint wear. The cast is neutral. Overall, the stocks are in about Good-Plus condition and would rate higher if not for the chip and crack.
Type of Finish: Blue & French Gray
Finish Originality: Original
Bore Condition: The .410 set is mostly bright with a small amount of minor fouling in each bore. The connecting metal between the two barrels is loose and makes a rattling sound when the barrel set is struck. The bores rate 7 out of 10.
The .28 set is mostly bright with a small amount of fouling in each bore, rating 9 out of 10.
The .20 set is mostly bright with some streaks of fouling near the muzzles and two patches of erosion in the top bore at the midway point. The set rates 8 out of 10.
Overall Condition: This shotgun retains about 90% of its metal finish. The receiver shows some light frost on certain areas, light thinning on the leading edges, and some scratches on the trigger guard. The barrel sets show some finish loss from forearm contact, some scattered nicks and scratches, and light thinning around the muzzles. There is a dent on the right edge of the rib at the rear of the .20 barrel set. The markings are clear. The screw heads are sharp. Overall, this shotgun is in about Very Good-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 with the three barrel sets.
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 Pigeon Grade Two Barrel set from 1954, in about Very Good-Fine condition, retaining about 90% of its metal finish. The engraving was done by Master engraver Felix Funken. This is a nice shotgun and would still make a good shooter at the range. Please see our photos and good luck!
