FN Liege or B26?

Discussion in 'Browning Superposed Shotgun' started by silvana, Jul 28, 2017.

  1. silvana

    silvana Guest

    Hello, I am Silvana from Argentina.
    I have an FN superposed 12 gauge shotgun, I belive it's a model Liege, the markings on the barrel are:
    "Fabrique Nationale Herstal Made in Belgium" and "Patent Pending Special Steel 12 GA Shells 2 3/4"
    Serial number is LB3RN013##, located under the barrel lever.
    The serial numbers I have seen are with L13 prefix instead of LB3, markings for the manufacturer are like the ones on FN pistols, but serial number is more like browning manufacture, any ideas of where this number came from??
    Thanks in advance.
    Regards.
  2. Rob poston

    Rob poston .270 WIN

    I am a little on the fence, here. The serial number 13XX indicates a 1st year Superposed (1931). However, the serial number system was changed over in 1969 from a sequential numeric type, to a alpha system of dating (the number at the end refers to the number of production per each particular year). That being said, the code of "RN" would indicate a 1979 production number. If I am correct, I believe the Superposed was only produced between 1931-1976.
    As far as it being a Leige, the Leige was marked with a two digit year code, followed by the letter J. The three years of production appear to be as follows.
    73J= 1973.
    74J= 1974.
    75J= 1975.
    It does not appear that your gun is a Leige, by this serial number.
    If it is marked as an FN, it should be a pre-1976/77 firearm, if I am not mistaken.
    Is there any way that you could post up some pictures of it? If you can, try to post a close up of the serial number, too (you can cover the last two digits with a piece of tape).
    SHOOTER13 likes this.
  3. Rudolph31

    Rudolph31 .30-06

    One of the problems dating guns that were sold internationally is that the serial numbering system may be different than that used on Browning imports. For the Auto-5 I know it is after 1953. Not too sure about the Superposed, but I'd be careful trying to apply Browning data to FN distributed guns.

    Also, although the Superposed is out of regular production, it has always been available as a special order item. Prices will make your jaw drop.

    I believe the best thing Miss Silvana can do is to contact FN.
    Rob poston likes this.
  4. Rob poston

    Rob poston .270 WIN

    Good tips, Rudolph! That makes sense. When I read "Fabrique Nationale Herstal made in Belgium", the international sales aspect never really dawned on me, as my pre-'76 Brownings have this marking as well.
    Rudolph31 likes this.
  5. silvana

    silvana Guest

    Hello, first of all I clarify that I use the google translate.
    Does anyone know what the LB3 code means? Then I post some photos.
    upload_2017-9-12_10-24-12.jpeg
    upload_2017-9-12_10-25-58.jpeg
    upload_2017-9-12_10-28-23.jpeg
    upload_2017-9-12_10-28-48.jpeg
  6. This is definitely a post-1971 gun. Looks to me to be a grey import B-27 post 1975. Official import Liege/B-26 dates were: 1973-1975 and had serial numbers like this: 73J1000 with 73 for 1973 and J for 12 gage. The B-27 was grey import post 1975 only. It is said that FN dumbed a bunch (700?) B-27 on the US market in 1980. The B-26 and B-27 have fully removable forends different from the B-25. Easy to spot. Apparently the B-27 is still being made by FN in Belgium today. FN Herstal was the company name after a name change from FN d'Armes de Guerre to FN Herstal which occurred in October 1971. Earlier barrels had FN d'Armes de Guerre engraved.
    Last edited: Aug 21, 2018
    Rudolph31 likes this.

Share This Page