doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion DoubleGun BBS @ doublegunshop.com Tell me about this superposed

That is from the 1937 Browning Arms Co. folder.

I believe both the metal and wood have been refinished. It is impossible to determine which early superposed were made/sold in the first year because FN did not assemble guns based on the serial number on the receiver, but yours is a very early superposed, and probably predates the ad you posted. I have a superposed with a three digit serial number than was assembled/sold in 1933. The twin single triggers tended to be troublesome, and Browning would not repair them after the war, but would convert them to the modern style selective trigger.
Four different triggers were available through most of the 1930's. Double triggers, twin single triggers, a single non-selective trigger (often seen on guns with a skeet configuration), and beginning sometime in the early 30's two varieties of a single selective trigger. The first had the selector button in front of the trigger, and later guns have the selective trigger used on guns sold after the war.
Guns could be purchased by mail directly from Browning, and many variations of grades, barrel length, chokes, stock configuration and other features could be ordered. Browning made a light weight or lightning version, which had a forearm held on by the latch system used on post war guns. The least expensive version of this gun came with no rib at all, but the top of the barrel was matted.
Some very early guns had a monoblock style construction, which yours does not have.
Even though your gun appears to be refinished, it has value to many who collect or accumulate old superposeds, particularly because of the twin single triggers, which have become somewhat difficult to find. You say it has a Browning buttplate. Does it have two large circles superimposed on it, and is it made of horn?

I have three double trigger Superosed Brownings. Only one is a single/double trigger. I can not tell if the other two were at one time. I have read that Browning converted every one to regular double triggers if they were returned for service. No part available and a regular double trigger can be about the most reliable trigger system there is. My two regular double triggers have been faultless for 30 years. The single/double does give me a bit of trouble but nothing a little blowing out with air and making sure the stick is not an interference has not fixed.

I have been thinking about buying a couple of the FN double trigger guns made for the European market. But every time I find a nice one it sells for twice the high estimate. So many nice guns and so little time and money. All the FN double triggeredguns seem to be a normal double trigger setup. I don’t think Browning ever worked out all the bugs in their new design and everybody was moving to a single triggers so it just died a natural death.

I think it is my opinion that the wood has been refinished with something like true oil.




The metal thing on the front of the forend is cool.

Flues restocked with true oil finish. Finish is suspiciously similar.

Pretty good condition later superposed. Bluing looks the same but, IDK, production separated by decades.

The holes you see on the horn butt plate are from worms over the years.
They're kinda like a badge of honor with these old Supers and should be worn proudly.

Worms? What kind of worms and how do they get at butt plates?

these kinds of worms....

https://www.doublegunshop.com/forums/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=646384#Post646384

horn is fairly largely low grade protein, and will be eaten by a wide variety of fauna...shed horns have to be picked up fairly quickly, before the creepy crawly things begin to munch on them. hard to say exactly how/which bugs get to the butt plates...but, it's quite common to see such damage - often on guns otherwise not so much showing neglect.

best regards,

tom

What kind of horn would it be? Some domestic animal?

https://www.bing.com/search?pglt=43...wajGoAgiwAgE&FORM=ANNTA1&PC=ASTS

best regards,

tom