"Older" Browning side by side what is it?

S

Samper

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A friend in need approached me about buying what he describes as an old Browning side by side 12 Ga. I've only seen the attached pictures plus one more which I was unable to attach. I've searched Brownings database to the best of my abilities but cannot figure out what this shotgun model is. I am hesitant to purchase it without 1. seeing it in person and 2. more information about what it is. Condition is an issue with some heavy pitting and very worn furniture but I mostly want it for a mantle. Can someone here please help me identify this firearm? Thank you.
 

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From the stock design and the general appearance of the gun, I would say it is from before WW1. That old, it is a wall-hanger IMO.
 
Thank you both for the replies. With that serial number and the little info that I have, is it still possible to figure out what it is? I guess it's highly possible that someone engraved that number and it's not a Browning if John never designed a SBS.
 
FWIW, there's quite a few "Browning" guns, that were born long after John Browning passed away, and some before, that were never designed by him.

It looks like it might be an FN SxS (FN makes high-grade Custom Shop Browning SxS' today).

Remove the forend & dismount the barrels for an inspection of the markings in the hidden metal parts, particularly the barrel bottom & flats, and the action watertable/flats.

If there's an "ELG" stamped therein, it was made in Belgium (FN is in Herstal, Belgium, BTW).

It may also to narrow down the date of manufacture with a pic/three of the other proofmarks, which came/went at various time periods.


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There is something on the left side of the frame that I cannot read in the picture. What does it say? I would not buy anything based on an illegible picture.

The gun is a very plain boxlock in poor to fair condition, probably not good for much but a wallhanger. And not worth a lot of money unless you are an interior decorator getting set to rip off a client.
 
Petah, thank you for the info. This one is now a "here ya go" on a bundle buy. That's what I'm considering it based on what I've valued the others in the lot at. I'm dealing with a buddy for his mother in law who lost her husband a few years ago and is just now beginning to sell a few of his things. So far these pictures are all I have. If I obtain it I'll do as you say, break it down, take some shots with my macro lens and figure it out.

Jim, I've tried to zoom in on this photo in a number of programs but cannot enhance it enough to discern what it says. I sent it to a photographer friend just now hoping that he could work his magic. He says the resolution is too low and that is was taken with an older cell phone in crappy lighting with improper distance and so on.

Is is possible for me to find this serial number by pouring any of the antique value guidebooks or figure out what this is with only the pictures we have? Surely the SN# if authentic can help in some way.
 
No.
Some major makes have good serial number records, some don't.
Few of the minor makes do.
If you don't know the brand you have no chance at all.

Can you not ask the seller?
 
Ok, I'm just going to have to get my hands on it. My friend doesn't have it, his mother in law does. I asked him to please confirm the make but there seems to be some lag time in response today.
 
The only Browning double gun was the Superposed and it didn't come out until 1935 well after his death. I think he died in 1926, but it may have been '29; can't recall.

The guns looks Belgium to me. They made a lot of them and it probably was imported prior to WWI.
 
(sigh)

For your edumakashun, here's some Browning "BSL" SxS shotguns, available through the Browning Custom Shop.

http://www.browning.com/products/catalog/firearms/custom/list.asp?cat=002L&bg=x

3cs_bsl_lc1rec.jpg
 
Browning ( FN ) did indeed make double barrel shotguns, one of my relatives ( whom I only met once ) had a Browning double that I hefted and drooled over. Plain Jane, 12 gauge, with a balance that seem to make the gun shoulder itself. This was in 1968.
 
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