Prices for Browning BSS vs Winchester Model 23

[The Flying Dutchman]

Does anybody have experience/info/opinion on prices for Browning BSS vs Winchester Model 23?
Do the Winchesters go for more than the Brownings?
I am thinking about getting a Winchester Model 23 and so far it appears prices on The model 23 are higher.
The Winchester Model 23 also seems to be less available than the Browning BSS.

 

[gunsaholic]

You don't see near as many model 23's . I had both the BSS and model 23 in 12 gauge. In my opinion, and from how they fit me and handled for my build, I much preferred the model 23.
At the time I sold them, I got more for the 23.

 

[Falconflyer]

Historically I think the 23's usually bring more money than the BSS, there also seems to be less 23's on the market at least in Canada.

 

[28 gauge]

I too se less Winchester Model 23 shotguns for sale than Browning BSS.I have had both and prefer the Model 23.

 

[struff55]

The BSS was a utility grade gun of good quality the 23 was a presentation grade gun the sold for twice as much at roughly the same time

 

[planemaker]

Historically I have always seen the 23 advertised higher as as others have pointed out it is a higher grade than the BSS. Exception would be the BSS grade 2’s which I have never seen for sale in Canada.

 

[Big Bad]

Yes, a year or two after I got my BSS, a Winchester 23 appeared in my local gun store and it was a fair bit more expensive. I remember being told that the one in question was a "pigeon grade" but what I really saw was that there was something funny about the sights, I think it had an amber front sight and another one mid barrel. At the time at least, I was too snobby to want to be seen with such a thing, I mean aside from not having the money (which was my sound policy at the time, lol).

Edit: this was also the first and the last time I ever knowingly saw a 23, BTW.

 

[45CAT]

There was a 23 for sale in EE last year

 

[gunsaholic]

There was a 23 for sale in EE last year

Was probably mine.

 

[canvasback]

So this will seem a bit crazy but at the time, they weren’t really of interest to me (still aren’t). While I love my M12s, Winchester SxS leave me cold.

Anyway, about 10 years ago at the local range I occasionally frequent, word got out I knew something about SxS. One member was dying to show me his pride and joy. I probably didn’t make a big enough fuss. It was a 4 gun set of Winchester Model 23 Grand Canadian grade. In 12, 20, 28 and .410. As you might imagine, each of them looked like they had never been fired. The owner wondered what they might be worth and I had nothing for him.

That’s my one brush with Model 23. Looked like a better gun that the BSS but still not where I was headed.

 

[FLHTCUI]

Here is a nice example of a Model 23 Deluxe...available at Martini Gunmakers Canada.(for ones viewing pleasure)
Too pretty and fancy for the likes of me.
OP, have you seen a BSS with side locks ?
Again, a fancier level of gun for the many tastes of firearms enthusiasts.
Not see one in the wild myself either, but there may have been on in the EE a few years back.
https://martinigunmakers.com/for-sale/winchester-21-deluxe-20-gauge/

 

[canvasback]

Here is a nice example of a Model 23 Deluxe...available at Martini Gunmakers Canada.(for ones viewing pleasure)
Too pretty and fancy for the likes of me.
OP, have you seen a BSS with side locks ?
Again, a fancier level of gun for the many tastes of firearms enthusiasts.
Not see one in the wild myself either, but there may have been on in the EE a few years back.
https://martinigunmakers.com/for-sale/winchester-21-deluxe-20-gauge/

You’ve linked to a Win M21, not an M23. Very different guns.


And a BSS sidelock, again, an entirely different gun than the BSS, will set you back roughly triple the cost of the BSS boxlock.

 

[Big Bad]

And, thanks to the magic of unwanted online search algorithms, up on my facebook feed comes good old Jon with his review of a Winchester 23 pigeon grade, basically just as I remember it.