Soft Vintage shotgun Market

I'm also assuming that it's a fixed choke gun and that's probably the reason most people will pass on it. Most shooters want the versatility of interchangeable chokes these days ! The Superposed is one of the best O/U's out there.
 
Not sure how you figure the "Vintage Shotgun Market" is soft based on the fact that you are obviously not getting the interest you would like in your particular gun. Yes, a superposed is a quality piece but only appeals to a very select part of the market. If you feel your price is justified, then you'll have to sit tight until the right buyer bites.................You've got to kiss a lot of frogs before you find your prince.
 
Here's why I wouldn't buy your gun:

It's not a desirable hunting gun in its current state. For upland it's too heavy and too tightly choked. In 20 gauge this gun would have far more interest. It's not great for waterfowling even thought it has 3" chambers because Browning recommends against using steel shot in the Superposed. The chokes could be opened up or the gun restricted to more expensive tungsten matrix loads but that increases the cost and the bother.

As a clay gun it would work best for doubles trap but serious trap shooters generally prefer longer barrels. Fixed Full and Mod aren't desirable for skeet or sporting clays. It is difficult to install choke tubes in a Superposed because of the thin profile of the barrels and how they are joined at the muzzle. Briley might be able to do it but the barrels would have to be shipped to Texas and there is no guarantee they could do the installation.

Your gun is also falls within the salt wood era for Brownings which would further lessen interest.

The Superposed is becoming a niche gun only appealing to a certain segment of the shooting community who like them a lot. Like many Browning designs however it is overly complex and there are better alternatives available.
 
+2 for claybuster's analysis. Beautifully made as the Superposeds are, they just don't appeal to modern shooters because there are much more versatile and useful alternatives available now. These guns were made in huge quantities and are not rare, not even scarce. Because they are so common serious collectors are only looking for the higher grade guns, scarce models and rare gauges like the 28, any collector that might be interested in a grade 1 field gun probably already has one ( or two or three). Also, like many other guns that were considered collectible and desirable like the Winchester M70, the people who they appealed to are getting old and fading from the scene and probably already have a nice Superposed if they really want one. Newer shooters ( buyers) coming onto the scene aren't interested in their father's or grandfather's dream gun. I personally believe these guns are undervalued but I see no indication that this will change.
 
it's somewhat fascinating to watch the demand and ultimately the value of once revered firearms fall.
Shotguns like 12 gauge auto 5s and superposed have flattened if not fallen. and pre 64 model 70s don't command any attention at a gun show table outside of those who were around in its heyday.

the citori is now perceived as the shotgun to buy and own.
 
I have a Superposed in 20 gauge from 1978 if I remember correctly. Very nice handling gun. My Uncle bought it new. When steel shot came into law, he had the full choke opened to modified. It was used for duck hunting right up until I received it 2 years ago and I have taken it out a couple of times. If steel shot was supposed to be harmful to the barrel somebody forgot to tell this gun. But yes, the literature stating that these guns are not steel rated ,plus a fixed choke,turns a lot of people away. And for the reasons already stated they are just not the "in gun" anymore.
 
I don't agree that it is the features of Struff's gun that cause low interest i.e.. fixed chokes, no steel shot etc. I think that the market, meaning potential buyers is shrinking rapidly. The Superposed along with the great Auto 5 and Winchester's model 12 are sought after by baby boomers wanting a gun like dad's or one dad lusted after. I am a baby boomer and came into this world at the end of the boom. I fall into the above noted interest category. I hate to say it but we (boomers) are starting to thin out. I was at a local gun show over the weekend and noticed the vast majority of sellers and attendees were late 40's and up in age. I even overheard some of the younger crowd state that the show always had the same old guys selling the same old style guns. They were looking for brand new product. I stopped by the local gun shop after the show and observed that the talk was of handguns, black rifles, and the latest offerings. The speakers were all younger. Nothing against these interests but I feel this is the market largely now and that is why the Superposed is being ignored by most.

Darryl
 
Semi-autos are something I know very little about but I ended up with a Winchester semi in near new condition with a skeet choke from early 70's. Priced it to sell at $400 about a year ago. Not one bit of interest. Considering what $400 will buy in the new gun market I was surprised. Such is life.
 
Younger shooters arent interested in older double guns it seems. A very nice gun indeed but it isn't semi auto. It isn't 3.5" chambered. It doesn't have removable chokes.
The baby boomers are on their way out of the gun buying scene and I mean no offense. Those who wanted such guns tend to own them by now and only want sub gauges or higher grades. Today's youth doesn't have a connection to double guns and it's keeping their value low in Canada. It's great for guys like me who are in between. I've shot with seasoned shooters for years and will likely buy their high end doubles when they're finished with them but I also like to play with the new stuff for fun. I don't think 16 12ga guns is anywhere near enough and ill continue to add to my collection as finances allow and when good deals come around
 
Back
Top Bottom