Browning, snP33GC054,1986, 20 Gauge, 5lbs. 11oz., IC/M
The Browning Superposed is one of the finest over/under shotguns in history and one of John Browning’s most brilliant designs. Produced in plain-jane field grades to the most elaborately engraved and finely stocked shotguns ever seen, production of the Browning Superposed was done in Belgium, running strong from 1931 through 1977 when traditional production stopped. Production continued in the FN Custom Shop with the Presentation Series through 1985. Finally, in 1986 the Superposed became only available on a custom order basis from the Browning Custom Shop produced in the same FN plant in Belgium. Here we have a rare Browning Superposed Gold Classic 20 gauge Superlight, produced to commemorate and honor John Moses Browning’s crowning achievement and his last firearm design in his brilliant life, the Browning Superposed. Browning planned to produce only 500 of this model and completed only 360 total, all in 1986, the only year of production. This is a very rare Belgium made Superposed, shown in its finest configuration, the Superlight. These guns were meant to show the elegance of the Belgium gun art, with 8 hand engraved heavy raised gold inlays, each gun signed by the factory engraver (this one signed by Mario Bodson), stocked only with exhibition grade burl figured Turkish walnut, hand checkered at 28lpi with fancy carved borders and banknote and vine carvings on both buttstock and forend. The foliate and countryside scene engraving is deep cut with shaded highlights…all stunning in execution and endowed with a gold bust of John M. Browning. These are elegant, dynamic upland guns, this gun weighing just 5 pounds 11 ounces and balanced to perfection 1/8” forward of the hinge pin. The gun comes with the original serial numbered box and remains new and unfired with no primer marks on the standing breech face of the action. Nothing has been altered on the gun since it left the FN factory. The finishes are all factory original showing no wear from use (we did add some “finish feed” to the buttstock as the oil finish was beginning to dry, not a refinish, just a couple of layers of oil). The mechanics are as you would expect for a new, unfired gun…tight on hinge and top lever that is way right of center. All the original paperwork documenting the gun is included as shown in the photos. To order a Browning Superposed Superlight with this level of wood and engraving would cost more than $25,000 and would take over 2 years to receive. You can own this one at a fraction of that price. What a gorgeous and different Browning Superposed with the historic meaning as a collectible Superposed, stunning engraving, and dynamite figured wood. Don’t miss out on this perfect little bird gun for the coming upland season. SEE SPECIFICATIONS BELOW. The value of the Superposed in general and the Gold Classic in particular has continued to climb in recent years, so this is an investment, not an expense. Don’t hesitate…just write the check! Thanks for looking!
Barrel: 26 3/8"
Chokes: .006/.015
Bores: mirror
Bore Diameter: .620/.620
Wall Thickness: .033/.032
% Blue: 99.5% factory
Chambers: 2 3/4"
Ribs: vent-tight
Sights: white Bradley front; white mid
Action: tight-Right of Center
Ejectors: timed
Receiver: 100% French Grey
Screws: perfect
Engraving: signed by Mario Bodson; hand engraved 8 gold inlays
Trigger: gold 100%; single-crisp
Trigger Guard: 100% French grey
Stock: exhibition burl Turkish walnut; Straight/schnabel forend
LOP: 14 1/4"
LOP To End Of Wood: 13 15/16"
DAH: 2 1/8"
DAC: 1 5/16"
Cast: H 1/8" off T 1/4" off
Checkering: perfect
Butt: factory Butt plate
