doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion DoubleGun BBS @ doublegunshop.com James Flynn's article on the Browning BSS sidelock

Greetings, Gents.
Once upon a time, wasn't there an article on the Browning sidelock BSS right here by James Flynn? I coulda' swore it was here that I read it.
On that note, if anyone has firsthand experience, good or no so much good with that same shotgun, I'd like to read about it.
Thanks in advance,
Ted

Ted I believe there was article in DGJ several years back. Bobby

Ted, the Flynn article used to be in the "Other useful Information" section on the main page here. I think I saved it somewhere if you want to see it again.

I have one of Browning sidelocks and love shooting it. It is a 12ga with 26" barrels and makes a good quail gun. Never had a mechanical problem with it...Geo

Ted, Over the last ten years I've owned three 12ga guns and one twenty. I have nothing but good to say about them. I had one with a misaligned top tang screw, while trying to get that last little bit of movement I twisted the head off of the screw. There was a company, in Canada I believe, that had a lot of BSS parts. They sent me a new screw, ALREADY ENGRAVED.
The only reason I don't have one now is that they are easy to sell, and when the times comes easy to buy.
terc

A friend, God rest his soul, owned every model made. That included barrel lengths, different engravings, etc.

Geo,
Yes I'd like to re-read the article. You can email it, if you want.

Terc, I remember seeing some BSS guns you had for sale, it does seem like they went quick.

I don't care for the gamescene engraving on the higher grade gun, or the poly finish on the stock of the same model. But, a 28" 20 gauge seems like it would be a great gun. A 26" 12 might be nice, as well.

Best,
Ted

Ted, I'm going to have to look for it. I know (?) I copied it before it went away...Geo

Ted - check your PMs.
Ian Nixon.

Thanks, Ian!!

Best,
Ted

Ted, I have the Flynn article somewhere, but I can't seem to put my hands on it. When you refer to game scene engraving, as I recall from the article, that was only on a small number of 12ga sidelocks. Most of the 12's and all the 20's had scroll engraving. Or you may be referring to the BSS Grade II, which was a boxlock with game scene engraving on a French gray or coin finished receiver. I believe all of the Grade II's had game scene engraving--and sometimes you'll see asking prices close to sidelock money! Then there are the "bottle sets", which are also boxlocks with special engraving, and an even higher price tag.

This one, Larry:

http://www.gunsinternational.com/guns-fo...un_id=100566588

I doubt he will get that kind of money for it. The regular gun is more attractive. I'd have to have a house cleaning to put either version in my inventory, something I am always loath to do.

Ian sent me the article, and I enjoyed reading it this weekend.

Thanks, everybody.

Best,
Ted

"A friend, God rest his soul, owned every model made. That included barrel lengths, different engravings, etc.
David"

That Friend must have been Andy Anderson; he had some fabulous high-grade Remington 1894's also, and a really nice Quality 2 8-bore Smith. Andy was a character; and he will be missed.

I never could locate the copy I had of the BSS sidelock article. Anyone else have one?...Geo

I have it....Actually Flynn asked me if I had it today! Coincidence? I think not....
I will dig it up.

Yes Tom it was Andy. Jim S. told me that he and Andy were in Vegas years ago and Andy and he walked up to the Browning booth, the fellows in the booth immediately knew who Andy was.
He also had every grade of Remington 1899 hammer gun up to Grade 7, there were only a few made. He talked with Charlie Semmer on the phone but never met him in person.

Heading up to the 3rd Fulton Homecoming we stopped at the Remington Museum. Andy had told me he had his display there of the model 1899's and would be there for a year. Beautiful display.

He will be missed.

The article I remember that discussed everything about the BSS side lock was by Colin McLagan "Browning's Best Gun", Volume 13, Issue 3 Autumn 2003, page 141

I doubt he'll get that much either. However, maybe a Browning collector looking for a game scene sidelock. Not many of those out there. Occasionally you'll see a pre-BSS Miroku sidelock. Same gun without the Browning name, and sometimes very attractive prices. It's a darned shame the Japanese are no longer making sxs.

I've looked at a few Miroku sidelocks, Larry. It seems to be the same gun mechnically, BUT, I'd say the Brownings were built under more strict quality control, and the Mirokus all seem a bit porky by comparison.
The Brownings seem to have more even engraving and higher quality finish, and more consistant weights, gun to gun. Keep in mind it is a slim sample of each, and my opinion, but, that is what I've seen.
In France, I actually saw two 12 gauge BSS sidelocks. They had the required sling swivels fitted, and, I'd guess, it was a factory job.

Best,
Ted

Ted, there were different grades of Miroku sidelocks. Some, for example, didn't have ejectors. (One of my hunting partners owned one of those.) BSS sidelocks were all one grade, the only difference being game scene engraving on a few vs scroll on most of the 12's and all the 20's. But I agree there aren't enough Miroku sidelocks out there to make a really accurate comparison. But when you do find a Miroku-marked sidelock that has similar engraving coverage, features etc to a BSS, you'll also usually find a significant difference in price.

Here is a PDF copy...Sorry it took me a couple days to locate and rebuild it.

Also, the links to larger images are no longer functional.

Thank you for your patience.

Click here to get the PDF copy of the Flynn - Browning Side Lock Shotgun article.

Ted,
I have been able to handle both the Browning BSS Sidelocks and the Miroku SxS sidelocks in a "side by side" comparison and without exception I prefer the Miroku brand sidelocks. The finishing and degree of detail on the Miroku sidelocks IMHO is noticeably better than that of the Brownings. To me, the metal finishing and the engraving especially is far superior. The Mirokus I have handled are more dynamic and responsive to a noticeable degree. At the time the Brownings were originally offered for sale they were built to a specific price point, and when you have both the Browning and the Miroku in your hands together you can more easily see the Browning was built to a price point. Regardless, the Browning is a bargain...but the Miroku can be an exceptional bargain. Here again I would recommend buy the gun not the name if you are buying to shoot...investment is another matter... the Browning wins.

Many thanks Dave!...Geo

I found information about the article in the DGJ- The article I remember that discussed everything about the BSS side lock was by Colin McLagan "Browning's Best Gun", Volume 13, Issue 3 Autumn 2003, page 141