Browning, snP33RR1722, Year 1977, 20GA, 5lbs. 14oz., Chokes SK/LM, LOP 13 11/16"
The Browning Superposed has been produced in plain jane field grades to the most elaborately engraved and finely stocked shotguns ever seen. The Browning Superposed was built at the Fabrique Nationale plant in Belgium, running strong from 1931 through 1976 when regular production stopped. The Superposed then became a custom order only gun, still at FN Belgium, and still in limited production today. Beginning in 1977, the Superposed was offered as the “Presentation Grade” and tagged with the designation P1 for their lowest grade, through P4 as the highest grade. Each of the P Grades had a few choices of engraving patterns. In general, the P1 and P2 grade guns were not engraved by hand but had acid etched engraving. Because of this, the engravers would not sign the work. The exception to this were the P Grades with heavy gold inlays that were hand engraved and signed by the engraver. This gun, snP33RR1722 built in 1977, has gold inlaid animals that were hand engraved and signed by J.M Debrus (Jean Marie), a long time FN employed engraver. Built as a “LIGHTNING” with P2N engraving on a French Grey receiver with raised gold inlays, the gun is amazingly light and stunning in its wood and engraving. This is a superb field gun, weighing just 5lbs. 14oz. (a half pound lighter than most Lightning 20ga. guns) and balanced perfectly 1/8” forward of the hinge pin, with 26 1/2” barrels choked SK/LM (see specifications in the tables below) retaining 99.5% factory blue, perfect bores, barrels tight on the hinge pin and breech face like a new gun. The gun is stocked with beautifully figured walnut, field style forend, with excellent checkering and superb wood-to-metal fit and only a few tiny handling marks present. Everything is mechanically excellent on this gun, with a mechanical single selective trigger, strong ejectors, and perfect screws. The engraving is beautifully cut with very detailed raised gold ducks and geese in flight, and a handsome Labrador Retriever presented on a French Grey receiver that retains 100% of the factory finish. This would be a very expensive gun to order today from the Browning custom shop…more than double what we are going to sell this gun for. ONLY 151 P2 20 GAUGE GUNS WERE EVER BUILT, AND ONLY 52 WERE LIGHTNING MODELS, AND FEWER STILL HAD THE GOLD ANIMAL INLAYS. THIS IS A RARE SUPERPOSED! This gun came with a Browning recoil pad. The previous owner had a factory butt plate fitted to the gun as shown in the photos, making a LOP of 13 11/16”. The pad and plate are interchangeable. MY PERSONAL SUGGESTION WOULD BE TO HAVE VFI PROVIDE ONE OF OUR LUXURIOUS LEATHER-COVERED PADS ($650) IF YOU NEED THE LONGER LOP. THEY REALLY LOOK FANTASTIC ON HIGH-END SHOTGUNS AND ARE THE MOST EFFECTIVE BUTT TREATMENT FOR MOUNT AND STAYING MOUNTED. The price includes the Browning factory hard case and paperwork. When you consider rarity, desirability of features, and condition you will find this an extraordinary investment quality gun that will only gain value as you enjoy its use. This is a rare opportunity…don’t hesitate or she will be somebody else’s treasure soon!
Barrels: 26 3/8"
Chokes: .003/.010 SK/LM
Bores: mirror
Bore Diameter: .620/.619
Wall Thickness: .037/.032
% Blue: 99% factory blue
Chambers: 3"
Ribs: vent-tight
Sights: white Bradley front, silver middle bead
Action: tight-way right of center
Ejectors: timed
Receiver: 99% French Grey
Screws: perfect
Engraving: deep, signed J.M. Debrus; hand engr. Heavy gold animal inlays
Trigger: single-crisp
Trigger Color: long tang heavily engraved with rabbit
Stock: square knob/long tang
LOP: 13 11/16" plate; 14 1/4" pad
LOP To End Of Wood: 13 7/16"
DAH: 2 3/8"
DAC: 1 7/16"
Cast: neutral
Checkering: perfect
Butt: factory pad; Plate added
