Browning superposed.

E

Erratic

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So I inherited a browing superposed shotgun. I have done some preliminary research and am having some trouble figuring out exactly what I have. I see them selling from anywhere around a couple thousand up to 20K. I tried to look it up by serial # but much of the info I had broke it down by gauge and this has 4 different barrel setups so I was confused. I appreciate any info you guys can give!!

ry%3D400


ry%3D400
 
Its a 4 barrel set obviously ....but we need a lot more info to give you an approx value these days ...

How long are the barrels ?
Do they have changeable screw in chokes ...or is the restriction fixed ...and if its fixed, what is it ?
What is the serial number so we can date it ?
I'm assuming you have a 12ga barrel, a 20ga barrel, a 28ga barrel and a .410 barrel - is that right ? - or are they something else ?

Is there only one forend ?
 
Those guns are not only junk but very unsafe... even when disassembled and unloaded, they can just up and explode...

I am a bit short on cash right now so I cannot offer to cover the shipping to my place for proper disposal... you gotta eat the costs but be careful when you box it up and mail it to me...


Okay... that won't likely get me the set so....

NICE GUN!!!

Brent
 
You are correct on the barrels. There is only one forearm and the barrels measure 26.5" from end to end. serial # 5260s72. In the box is all the original paperwork, including the original owners warranty card. Kinda neat. Thanks for the help fellas.
 
And thanks for the kind words too. It is in immaculate condition I must say. Looks like something someone bought because it looked pretty but didnt really use it much.
 
bigjim, I know squat about shotguns. How can I find this choke info you ask for? And I didn't find a date on the warranty card. I looked all through the paperwork for something with a date but nothing. Oh, and also its labeled "lightning" which I see is somewhat relevant. :D
 
Somewhere on the rear of the barrel / on the sides of the barrels near the ejectors ...you'll find some marks ....

like a * * *
or a * * $
or a * *

maybe ....

they might be different for top and bottom barrel on each barrel set ...look for those on all 4 barrels and let us know what they are.
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I did a little research on the Browning website ...and I don't have a date for you on the gun ....

what does it say on the barrels ...in terms of where they were made, etc ...
 
Ok, so they are all choked for "Skeet" which is what the * * $ means...

Is one a 12ga ....one a 20ga ......one a 28ga and one a .410 ....

or are they a single gague ...or what are they ?
 
Ok, that all makes sense too .....since we shoot skeet in 12ga, 20ga, 28ga and .410 ....( I was asking because it was not impossible to have a 16ga in there ...just never know ).

What you have is a nice set of guns ...with fixed Skeet chokes...and I don't know probably made sometime from the 1950's - 1970's .../ and the pictures make it look like a standard grade receiver with an upgraded stock / with some nice grain and color in it.

You might consider calling Browning and talk to a live person, see if they can give you a little more info on when that set was made / was it made as a complete 4 barrel set ...or did someone customize it down the road. Ask them if the set was sold with one forend ...or should it have had 4 for-ends as part of the set.../ they should know.

Value ...for insurance purposes, I'd probably say put $ 10,000 on the set to be safe for replacement value. But as an example, in the Citori lineup - Browning brought out a 4 barrel set last yr ...and sold them new for around $ 5,000...but I don't remember if they were 26", 28" or what they were...

These days 26" Skeet guns are not in "vogue" right now .../ with the trend in the last 10 yrs going to 28" or 30" barrels - and even some at 32". Personally, I shoot 30" in all 4 gagues - so this set might be a little difficult to sell to a serious "Skeet" shooter - but its a set of guns that has some nostalgia to it - back to the times where it was common to shoot shorter guns / and some guys still do.

I hope you're not trying to sell them / and I hope you shoot them and enjoy them ! However, if you have to sell them / or if the guns don't fit you --- or don't want to shoot Skeet with them ...I think today's retail value for the 4 barrel set is probably around $ 5,000. Your primary market - if you're going to sell them ...is to some of us older "skeet shooters" ( guys over 60 for the most part ) that want to make them part of our collection ....vs a serious competitive skeet shooter these days...

You should take them to a knowledgeable shop in your area, if you have one, that deals in higher end "Target grade" or "Skeet guns" ....not a big box store ...but maybe a used gun dealer ...like a Cabelas ...or somewhere where you can let someone really look them over closely - and document what Browning can tell you ....to really tighten up the value / have them appraised.
 
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Congratulations, you've got a classic Belgian Browning 4-barrel/gauge Skeet set. Judging from the clean condition of the case, I'm guessing it's seen little use. Although longer barrels are now popular for Skeet, tons of targets have been broken with 26-inch barrels. There's no reason you can't get years of enjoyment out of this rig.
 
26" barrels are for "those little guys" --- with "short arms" ....:D
( not for us normal "buffalo sized guys" ....) ....but Buffalo's have feelings too ya know.../ and at 6'5" and 275 this morning ...I'm almost at my hibernation weight ...for a long winter nap ...


but yes, Zippy is right - if they Fit you ...so they hit where you look ...you can shoot a lot of targets with that set -- or just have a lot of fun with them / some Quail over some good dogs, or whatever .....

You can effectively tighten up the pattern, a little bit - to almost an IC ...by shooting shells with 7 1/2's in them vs 9's .../ but I sure wouldn't let anyone except Briley Mfg put screw in chokes in those barrels.../ and even if you let them do it ...the value might go down a lot .../ ruining them to a purist nostalgic collector that might want them ...down the road / but they're your guns / you should do what suits you !
 
Blue Book - Browning Superposed Grade I Four Gauge Skeet Set. single forearm, includes fitted luggage case. Mfg 1972-76.
98% - $4950
95% - $4500
Subtract 20% for 26" barrels.
Mark
 
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