1959 Superposed Browning of course, Belgian of course

NZClaybuster

NZClaybuster

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My first o/u shotgun was/is an 1959 Browning Superposed. It was purchased from an old trap shooter that had hunted it and shot thousands of rounds of trap with it. Now it is taking up room in my safe, and I am not shooting it much.
Is the money it would take to rebuild it worth it? Hardly rare, not really an antique. Not competitive with my 30 inch changeable choke, Beretta, but what to do?

I need help to make up my mind regarding whether to keep it as is, sell it to someone that would do the work, or have the work done for me. I am not really interested in selling it to someone that would strip it for parts or use it as is. I can do that.

What to do?
 
Diana grade? If it was, the decision for me would be to have it restored. I love the Diana grades and a big bonus being pre-salt wood.

If it wasn't, then it would depend on the memories associated with the gun. I probably would do it, because I hate selling things :)!!
 
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Field grade, straight grained wood, barrel was painted stove black, full over modified choke (fixed) bulged bottom barrell, small dent in top barrell. Gold worn off trigger shoe. etc
 
It sounds like some barrel repair (dent removal) is required, as well as strip, polish and cold blue.
Nothing can be done at this stage about the bulge. Balance of gun reblued and wood refinished,
(likely needs checkering pointed up as well) not including any worn parts ... probably worth a fair bit
more than the value of the gun "as is" and not likely what the same gun in good to very good original
condition might bring.

If there's a bit of sentiment involved, (and I understand that) keep it as a back-up, "as is".
 
The 2nd O/U I ever bought is a grade 1 1959 Lightning ( wonder how close our ser#'s are ). I still use it a lot but a couple of years ago I rebuilt the locking bolt but the rib is loosening :(

What needs rebuilding exactly ? Is it loose on face, locking lever left of center or opening on firing ? Where on the barrel is the buldge and how severe ? Near the chamber ( dangerous to use ), or mid to nearer the muzzle ? ( less so ).
A full restoration on a Super would not be economical in most cases ( unless a high setimental is present )as there are too many of them around in good shape for much less than what the resto will cost.

A buldged barrel kills the whole idea of resto, the only way to truly fix that is replacement of the barrel itself( $$$$$!!!!) or finding a used barrel set and fitting to your receiver($$$!!).

I think your only realistic options are either keeping it as is, a partial rebuild taking care of any off face or loose hinge problems if the buldge is minor and in a non- critical area or parting out.

I did buy an otherwise mint 20 ga. Super with a buldged lower barrel between the forend and muzzle that in my opinion was not at risk of rupture, however it was bought at a huge discount of what it would have been worth without the buldge.

Tim
 
Your talking about rebuilding it due to Salt Wood damage?
Check out Art's Gun & Sports Shop, Inc. 6008 Hwy Y Hillsboro, MO 63050 .
The guy has several videos of his work in progress fixing damaged guns.
Does it cost $$$ , yup it sure does, but to some it is worthy of the cost.
Upon further research, I found this interesting opinion.

"Short answer: ALL so-called "salt wood" stocks are Claro walnut (California black walnut). They all came from the same batch of wood sold to Browning in 1965 and used in Superposed shotguns, Browning Hi Power Rifles (Safari and Medallion grade) and T-Bolts sold from 1967 until 1971.

The easy way to spot "salt wood" is by identifying if the wood is Claro (it has a very distinctive grain) and, if so, inspecting the metal anywhere the metal and wood touch, as the metal was quickly attacked by the salt retained in some of the wood blanks (not all). The definitive test is to remove the finish under the buttplate or in the barrel channel and swab a small area with silver nitrate solution: if it changes color, salt is present.

There is no way to remove the salt from the wood without ruining the wood. Browning offered to replace the stocks and refinish the firearm for the original owners only and required proof of original purchase, but I do not know if this offer is still valid."

If you can find a decent one, they sure are pretty.
Rob
 
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