I think I've found a nice FN Superposed that I might want- it has most of the features I like- double triggers, no engraving and best of all...prewar and four digit serial number. This is a true, higher end working man's gun from it's time.

It has 28" barrels choked skeet/skeet- something I don't really like, a bit open for my tastes. It's a nice clean 85-90% gun and even the buttplate is not roach-eaten...

So, what is the market on these things- by the looks of the gun auction sites they seem to be very soft and very available...so I don't think I'd want to pay a lot, after all it isn't full/full (to suit my tastes). Oh, it is a 12 bore.

I don't even know if the owner and myself can come to agreement on the price anyway.

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Lost it all in a boat accident

The early Browning Superposed had "double double" triggers, both function as a single trigger. I've shot one that belongs to a member at the club. The front trigger fires the bottom barrel on the first pull, then the top. The back trigger fires the top barrel, then the bottom. It's pretty cool!

I don’t know what they’re bringing, but a 28” skeet gun should bring a premium over a 26” version.

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"I also cook."

In the Sept. issue of the American Rifleman in the tech "I have this old gun" they show a Browning O/U with triggers such as you mentioned that were invented in 1933, the gun shown in the piece was a 1952 model that was 98% and the current owned purchased it in 1991 for 800 and the current value is stated as 1825. I would think that a early 4 digit serial # would be close to this one in value. It will never get less I dont believe. When they were brought out in 1928 the price was 107.50. Jeff

The Belgun guns always bring higher dollars than the Jap guns. I bought a Browning Cirtori Lightning Special Sporting Clays about 6 years ago for $1575. Has 28" barrels, and is ported. Single trigger selectable with ejectors. It comes with choke tubes and can handle most any shotgun game and any kind of hunting. For me it's primarily a skeet and Sporting Clays gun. I shoot it nearly every week, and it just "fit's".

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H Richard
SWCA1967 SWHF244

One thing about the Superposed - it will kick the snot out of you compared to the Citori. If you're looking for a shooter, your cheek will disapprove.

Buck

Pre-war Superposed don't seem to bring as much as post war though the mid 60's do. Not sure why, but that is what I have seen in the market. I have a '58 two barrel grade 1 set in the period correct Hartman luggage case. I paid $800 for it in '95 or so.

The market does seem soft on them. Seems like the right time to be buying.

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Dave

That's what I do like about most Superposed I've shot- they seem much lighter than their newer cousins. Yes, they do kick with heavy game loads, but for occasional use, it'd be ok.

I have an amount in mind, and we'll see if two minds meet.

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Lost it all in a boat accident

The release lever is a sign of use/wear. When newer they are right of center, with wear the lever moves towards center. If left of center it's should be looked at because the locking lug is getting a lot of wear.

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Lynnie, Professional Pest

I'm not a Superposed guru, but I do own an early one.
Mine is a 30" mod and full with single selective trigger, lightly engraved receiver.
Serial no 118xx (1935 or1936 production).
Metal on mine is 95%+ and original, stock was shortened.
Came with original Browning hard case and hang tags.(price on hang tag was $225.00)
Paid $900.00 four years ago.
The four digit serial no would probably place it 1931 or 1932 my guess.

Chuck H

Hmmm...

Adjusted for inflation, that $225. a Superposed cost in 1935 would be about $3500 today.
Or, $225 in silver is worth nearly $5200. today.

Considering a Registered Magnum was only $60.00 in 1935...(of course they only made a third as many...)


The deal on this thing ain't look'n too bad.

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Lost it all in a boat accident

I had an old pre-war that I wish I had kept-
12 ga, 26", IC & Mod, with Double Single Triggers!
That was a very interesting mechanism: it had double triggers, but after firing the barrel it was dedicated to, either trigger would reset and fire the other barrel!

Any pre-war with double triggers is worth checking for that feature. You might have to pull the buttstock to find it- there is a round, precision inertia weight that slides in a tube to reset the triggers. Mine was gummed up with dried oil and did not work. I was pulling the gun down for a thorough cleaning when I discovered the mechanism. I had never seen anything like it. As I freed it up and examined it closely, it was obvious what it did. Cleaned up, it worked so well that I could snap one barrel, slap the buttplate hard, and it would reset.

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Regards,
Lee Jarrett

I worked in the Browning Gunsmithing Shop in St. Louis from 1978 to 1982, I worked on Superposed shotguns for most of that time. Back at that time parts were not available for the old double single triggers and few gunsmiths knew how to repair them. What the company did was hold them until there were 3 or 4 and then I would convert them to the current style single trigger. If you are buying the gun as a shooter you might do well to keep this in mind.

I would agree with MARKSMAN about parts availability on that version of the Superposed. I own a more modern version (early 1960's) with a single selective trigger, and would think parts for that version are still available from guys like Midwest. Thankfully, I have never had to replace any Superposed parts on mine!




chief38

Mine is a "Broadway" Trap, with 30" full/full and the 5/8" rib. It has a single trigger, but is not selective. It also utilizes the enertia weight to reset the second barrel.

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James L. "Jim" Rhiner