Browning 28ga Superposed

Cz452velocitor

Cz452velocitor

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I’m attempting to find the year of manufacture on my 28ga although Browning’s website charts don’t relate to my serial number 0F12x , all the numbers match on the gun and it’s in original unfired condition, would anyone have Browning literature that goes into further detail dating their shotguns? It is the early RKLT version with slender wrist & forend. It is not forsale. Thank you in advance. F271DB5F-2B11-4DCB-B656-D4B52EC1D4A9.jpgC20CA9C1-AC7E-4019-9D6B-6FB809F893E2.jpg
 

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Superposed serial numbers are frustrating at best, it's anyone's guess as to why Browning saw a need to use letter codes for years of manufacturer and gauge for some years and then switch to number codes for gauge so on and so forth.
The info I have shows that the barrel stamp "St. Louis Mo & Montreal PQ" was used in the years 1959 to 1968 and 28 gauge (code F) was introduced in 1963 so that narrows it down to being manufactured between 1963 and 1968. You could contact the Browning historian to try narrowing it down further unless someone else here can help.
A very nice gun by the way!
 
Your 28 gauge Superposed was made in 1960 - pre salt wood era. Thus the code 0F - zero for the date and F for 28 gauge.
Serial numbers for 28 gauge Superposed made in 1960 - #50 - 281. 1960 was the nominally the first year of production of the 28 gauge, though they started building them for market in 1959.
Reference - The Browning Superposed, John M. Browning's Last Legacy - Ned Schwing 1996
 
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When I said the 28 gauge Superposed was introduced in 1963 I was referencing the Blue Book of gun values, but I'll defer to Ned Schwing's book. I guess I'll have to find that book and buy one since the Browning website of manufacture dates doesn't show a 28 gauge or the letter "F" until 1963.
 
Be prepared for the aftermarket price of the Superposed book - $250US and up. It is the gold standard reference, though not perfect.
The US Browning website historical information is notoriously deficient.
 
1964-1969 28 gauge sales in N. America 1678 guns, Table p. 253

Grade 1 613, special order 71, Pigeon 141, 21 special order, Pointer 21, special order 5, Diana 82, 16 special order, Midas 38, 13 special order.

Pie chart p. 339 28 gauge sales 1964 -1977 - 1556 hunting model, 1162 Skeet. In the same time period Gr. 1 hunting - 477 were 28 inch barrels, 541 were 26 1/2 inch.
Yes, I know the total doesn't agree.

Despite there being a significant number of 28 gauge guns in N. America, they are mighty thin on the ground in Canada. I have never seen a 28 gauge Superposed in W. Canada. I have seen lots of 20 gauge including quite a few nice graded guns, just not 28 gauge.

This will be almost all the Browning guns of this period, I would think. FN retained world rights to market the Superposed outside of N. America.
If anyone ever tells you that Browning/FN never did that, immediately view them with suspicion. New variations to common understanding are discovered all the time.
 
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A 28 gauge superposed is certainly uncommon in Canada but I have seen a few. 28 gauge skeet guns were not uncommon on skeet ranges back in the day but field choked guns are much harder to find.
the OP has a beautiful gun.
 
Certainly, a beautiful gun. With less than half of the field models being 28 inch barrels, this is one scarce gun, in my mind.
28 gauge Superposed - Total world production to 1977 - 3,559 - approximately 57% Field guns, 47% of those with 28 inch barrels - estimated 950 produced.
There will be a lot fewer the early RKLT guns, under 1,000.
That would suggest that there might be 270 guns of the same specs as the OP's gun.
The numbers of good guns will be diminished by wear, tear and abuse.
So, not impossibly rare, but uncommon for sure.
 
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Very nice, this was the hole in my collection I could never afford to fill.
What is a realistic not gouging price to sell a copy of Schwings book ?
 
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