Personal Holy Grail? Browning Superposed

[E Z MUNNY]

My personal Holy Grail has always been a Browning Superposed shotgun (made in Belgium, of course!) ever since I saw one way back in the late 50's. Today I saw one in my local gun shop, took it off of the rack and immediately fell head over heels in love again. It was a 26" 20 gauge with Imp & Mod barrels and made in 1972 in Belgium. Had a few little marks but in general is a very nice shotgun and it locks up as tight as a drum. No price so I asked and the reply was "talk to the guy coming in the door". The guy was carrying the original hard case for the shotgun and it is like new.

Apparently I wandered in when he went back to his car for the case. The GS owner finally said he thought he could get $1295 for it. i was able to let go of it and hand it back to the dealer only on the condition that he put my name on it for a week or so until I can see if I can gather up the $$$.

Am I doing the right thing? I'm probably going to have to turn loose a couple of my S&W's to finance this thing which I may never even shoot since I will soon be 71 and have Parkinson's (and a wife who will probably shoot me with it when she finds out about it (LOL)).

[bitstream]

If you can afford it without causing family budget problems, then follow your heart.

I was told when I got into woodworking that you'll never regret how much you paid for a tool. I think guns are probably about the same.

[redlevel]

I say go for it. 71 ain't so old. Hopefully, you have many more years to enjoy it.

One caveat: are you familiar with the salt-wood stock problem? A 1972 gun could fall into the range of serial numbers of FN guns that might or might not have so-called salt stocks. It was a huge problem for Browning. They say an easy, quick check is to remove a butt-plate screw and see if it is rusted. There is a lot of information with articles, pictures, and videos dealing with the subject here:
Art's Gun & Sports Shop, Inc.

[H Richard]

Buy it. It's a good price in the condition you state, and the Belgian model retains it's value far greater then the current Jap versions, (but they aren't bad either). I just bought my Browning single barrel trap gun, with full rib & stock adjustments and Gracoil recoil system last summer, and I'm 70 so get it and shoot it.

[GKC]

If it's something you've always wanted, and it is in good condition to buy, go for it...especially if you can turn a couple of guns you don't mind parting with to buy it, or if you can buy it outright without hurting yourself financially.

You say you might not shoot it, but there are many who collect firearms they never shoot, just for the pride and pleasure of owning them. If that's what you want, I say more power to you!

[DGNY]

You have earned this by your faithful watching of them all these years. You will get $100 of pleasure each time you pick it up and run your hands over it.

And, after all, it it just a conversion of assets, as you exchange dollars for timeless steel and walnut.

Best,

Dyson

[Sprefix]

There is a real nice one here just about as you describe. $2995.00!!!!!! This one is early 60's so no salt wood. My 12ga superposed is a 1961 and I LOVE IT!!!!!!!

[gr8smiles]

I picked one up last fall. It was a Belgium 12 and was not a salt gun. It had significant blue wear from being carried and the 'poly' finish on the wood had some cracks. I sent it to Arts (in the link above) and they restored it. I had it reblued and they put a hand-rubbed oil finish on he wood. The restoration cost more than the gun, but now I have a real show-stopper and have less than 1500 in it. I was pleased and don't regret it. My other weakness is Belgium Brownings. I keep going back to the Challenger and Nomad pistols.