[Kingcobb]

I am a long time bird hunter and skeet shooter and have for the past 16 years been toying with the idea of getting a browning O/U. Saw a 1955 era one today that had 30" barrels, 3"mag chambers, 12 gauge. Its a superposed, both barrells are full choked which while not ideal isn't that big of a hickup for me. It is in good condition with all original wood and such. Too old to be salt wooded. Looks really nice, and they are asking $1300 for it. Not in my budget currently, but if that is a fair price I can come up with the funds in due time.

I know you can't shoot steel in it, but that isn't a concern as I wouldn't take it waterfowling anyway.

 

[Signal_20]

I shoot a Superposed Broadway every week for Trap and love it. $1300 seems a bit on the high side since those as you pointed out do not shoot steel so they bring a bit less. Would probably value it around $1000 give or take a bit. You are correct the salt wood guns run from 1966 to 1972. Also the parts to rebuild these are readily available from many sources and there are places that specialize in repairing the like Art's Guns, http://www.artsgunshop.com/ A Superposed is a great gun and you could not wear it out so don't worry about that. The only thing I can see that might create a problem is shooting skeet with a 30" full choke, that would definitely make it more challenging. Mine is a 32" Full/IM and I only shoot full but that is trap, a completely different game.

Don't know if I helped or just rambled on but good luck with your decision and if you get it let me know how it works out.
Jim - Signal_20

 

[blackdog001]

That seems a bit on the high side, unless it has very, very little wear. 3" chambers are a bit rarer - you might want to check and make sure it was not bored out. 3" shells were just not shot that much in the 50's. I have one, same year, but a skeet gun that I had tubed.

Fit and finish is top notch. They were the best o/u of their day. As noted above, you can probably shoot it a lifetime and never have a problem, but just in case you do, there are any number of good repair shops and also as noted, parts are not hard to come by.

 

[guy sajer]

That seems a bit on the high side, unless it has very, very little wear. 3" chambers are a bit rarer - you might want to check and make sure it was not bored out. 3" shells were just not shot that much in the 50's. I have one, same year, but a skeet gun that I had tubed.

Fit and finish is top notch. They were the best o/u of their day. As noted above, you can probably shoot it a lifetime and never have a problem, but just in case you do, there are any number of good repair shops and also as noted, parts are not hard to come by.

Agree , I would double check the chamber markings ... It's marked 12/76mm on the under side of the barrels ?

 

[Kingcobb]

I will have to go by and check the marking. I was just going by what the store had it marked. The store I saw it at is pretty knowledgeable. They are usually pricey on stuff, but they know their stuff.

Oh yeah it is also a solid rib as opposed to a vent rib. Really nice looking gun.

 

[guy sajer]

Found this one of later manufacture for quite a bit more money . BROWNING - Grade 1 Magnum, 12ga,

 

[haggis]

The only disadvantage I have ever encountered with a Superposed is that they kick the snot out of my cheek compared to a Citori.

Buck

 

[Kingcobb]

I have a 1100 and a 870 if I need them. It is more an itch I want to scratch for the craftsmanship that these old guns are. Its funny, a superposed is the gun I have wanted the longest but I keep buying colts 1st. Saw one for a good price about a year ago but I had just bought my python.

I want one for what they represent and for the fact that all the old timers that taught me to shoot skeet as a kid 20 years ago swore by em and shot nothing but superposed.One of their sons who was in his 40s at the time showed up to shoot with a brand new citori with choke tubes and such. Those old fellas harrassed him so much about that citori that he couldn't hit squat.

Not too worried about recoil, grew up quail hunting with my dads ancient A5 "humpback" browning. I don't think I have ever shot anything that kicked as much as a full day of quail hunting with that beast. Dad always said we could adjust it from his setting to lessen the kick, but between my brother and my cousins, there wasn't a one of us who ever adjusted squat on that gun.

 

[coltsixguns]

My dad had a 12 gauge browning superposed that he bought new around 1968 or so. It had a 28" barrel and was full and modified. We carried that gun out in the woods hunting squirrels and out in the field hunting dove and quail. It was a salt wood gun and he returned it to the factory and I assume they refinished the receiver and replaced the wood somewhere in the early 70's. He came down with cancer in 1980 and and started selling some possessions and sold the browning to a gentleman in our small town. Dad passed away a few months later and years later I got to the point where I could buy a gun of the value and wanted to have my dad's favorite shotgun so I contacted the man he sold it to in order to see if he would sell it back to me only to find out that he had dementia and he nor his wife had any idea who he had sold it to. Since then, I've kept my eyes open to try and find a similar one. The ones I've found have either had a kickpad installed or they were the wrong configuration. I've talked to several of the double gun guys at the Tulsa show and they act like there is one to be found on every street corner and I've given them my number and told them I was a buyer and after 2 years the phone hasn't rang. I found a 1966 production one last month at the Tulsa show that was the right configuration but the wood on it was very blondish in color and I just couldn't settle for it...I know the one dad owned had dark wood and if I'm going to buy one that is similar I'm going to wait until I find the right one. I guess I'm just hard headed that way.

 

[John Fugate]

Here are a few of my old field grade superposes from the 1950's all original unmolested with their original horn butt plates. I like the round knob long tang guns. Note the one early gun three from the right with the blue trigger it also has solid rib barrels it shipped in 1951. I have studied the Browning Superposed in depth for 30 years, its my foremost passion in gun collecting. Bought my first one when I was 16. The superposed was John Brownings last invention, and best in my book.

 

[Kingcobb]

Very nice John. You wouldn't be interested in selling that one huh

 

[John Fugate]

Very nice John. You wouldn't be interested in selling that one huh

No I would not part with it,,, I am always looking to buy high condition all original superposes myself. I have shifted my collection over the years to mostly small bore high grade guns. Superlights are my favorite. These field grades in the picture are just some I shoot time to time. I like original and nice. Does anyone have any high grade superposes they would be willing to post pictures of. They are truly works of art. I just like seeing different engravers and their degree of skill and style. Not all engraved superposes are created equal. I chose the Browning superposed to be my lifelong study. I am more fluent in the field of Browning superposed collecting than any other firearm. I like Colts and Smiths but Browning Superposes are my focus in gun collecting.

John

 

[rhacpa]

Mr. Fugate,
If you will PM me I have a very nice long tang 12 GA Superposed with I believe the Broadway Rib. I would sell at a decent price. I will get details from my gun vault tonight and i can take some photos and send them to you via text. if nothing else you can tell me what I have. It is a beautiful piece, i have had it about 20 years and have not shot it much. I do not think it is a salt gun, but you will be able to tell via the serial number. I also think it is a superlight. i am getting older now and need to divest some of my "safe queens".
Randall

 

[Kingcobb]

Its a 3" mag barrel. Stamped on side says 3" Mag barrel special steel.They also have some FNs that are stamped browning with the gold browning symbol on the grip.not sure if they are SP or not.

 

[John Fugate]

Mr. Fugate,
If you will PM me I have a very nice long tang 12 GA Superposed with I believe the Broadway Rib. I would sell at a decent price. I will get details from my gun vault tonight and i can take some photos and send them to you via text. if nothing else you can tell me what I have. It is a beautiful piece, i have had it about 20 years and have not shot it much. I do not think it is a salt gun, but you will be able to tell via the serial number. I also think it is a superlight. i am getting older now and need to divest some of my "safe queens".
Randall

Randall,
My new email address is [email protected] I would be glad to answer your questions, send me a few pics and the serial number. I will tell you what you have, it may either be a Broadway trap or a superlight, but it cannot be both. What makes a superlight a superlight is a round body action, tapered slender game rib and English straight stock. I will await the pictures of your gun.

Thank You
John Fugate

 

[John Fugate]

Superposed collecting is a lifelong never ending pastime for me.

 

[hookedon1911s]

I guess like Colts, you can never have to many. Superposed are beautiful guns even in a field grade.

 

[Kingcobb]

Got the guy to send me some pics of the gun today along with his basic description. They are asking for $1399 for the gun.


Browning Superposed 12 gauge caliber shotgun. Belgian made 3” Magnum Superposed with 30” solid rib barrel. Choked full/full. Very good condition made in 1955

 

[John Fugate]

Got the guy to send me some pics of the gun today along with his basic description. They are asking for $1399 for the gun.


Browning Superposed 12 gauge caliber shotgun. Belgian made 3” Magnum Superposed with 30” solid rib barrel. Choked full/full. Very good condition made in 1955
View attachment 46872 View attachment 46873 View attachment 46874 View attachment 46875 View attachment 46876

The gun lacks originality and condition.

 

[Hipshot]

I have a Broadway 32" Trap model. Have shot the snot out of it over more than 50 years-I used to LOVE Trap-still locks up like a bank vault. I am considering one of the Winchester 101s that CDNN still has on sale. A friend got one in the 26" length and it IS made in Belgium, and works just like any other Superposed I have shot, kind of waiting for Christmas..........