Hello all, I'm new to this forum and was hoping the resident experts can help me date my granddad's shotgun. Attached (if I got Imgur figured out right) are photos of my 28 gauge pigeon grade Superposed. Serial number is 1F391. As I understand it, in the sixties, the "F" denoted the gauge as 28, however the rest of the serial number does not follow the format I've seen posted on Browning's website -- the "F" should be the penultimate character, and the final character should correspond with the year of manufacture. Any insight would be much appreciated. Photos: https://imgur.com/a/XGZCef6
Here's an explanation I offered a few years back on this site......see post #2 of the thread in the following link........ need help figuring out this superposed shotgun | Browning Owners So, 1F391 was stamped with a year code in 1961. Is it 'your' gun, now? What are the barrels length and chokes on the Pigeon Grade barrels. They appear to be 28" Why is the forearm attached to the 26-1/2" Gr I set of barrels - and what gauge and serial number is that set? Is the forearm numbered to the Pigeon Grade (engraved) barrels?
Ok Anatidae some help here on your answer for year. I'm not doubting you by any means. I looked at the NRA website and that was my guess so just trying to see where I went wrong or are they wrong. Any help appreciated.
NRA/Blue Book page says: Superposed Model O/U 28 ga and .410 bore YEAR 1960-1962 NOT AVAILABLE I interpret this to mean "No Information Available"......or........"we don't have a clue." My explanation: So a year/gauge code of 9F, 0F, and 1F applies to a 28ga manufactured in 1959, 1960, and 1961, respectively. Even BrowninG is confused.
Thank you Anatidae, I can tell from reading other posts here that you know your stuff. I took those photos back in 2023 when I was sending it out for repair because, tragically, my dad cracked the forearm when trying to disassemble (you can see the chipped-off section on the rear of the forearm). Surprisingly, Browning Missouri agreed to take it in. They re-manufactured a new forearm to match the stock, and only charged $600 and change. So, in the photo, it didn't really matter what barrels the forearm was loosely fit to. You are correct that the engraved barrels are 28" and the other barrels are 26 1/2" -- both sets of barrels are 28 gauge and share the 1F391 serial number. The engraved top and bottom barrels are full and modified, respectively, while the 26 1/2" barrels are modified and improved cylinder.
Thanks for the info and your kind acknowledgment. Congratulations on the nice combo set. 1F389 is also a Pigeon Grade as it was common for FN to produce several of the same grade in close succession of serial numbers to meet actual or projected demand for orders.
Very interesting. I see on the older thread you mentioned the Browning historian Lenny.rees@browning.com, is he still taking inquiries? I'd love to know whatever info pertaining to the original sale they might have.
Thanks for the info and kind acknowledgment. Unfortunately Lenny passed away several years ago. There have been people whom BrowninG has placed in some capacity but none, fulltime. Then there was a time they had no one doing archives research and letters and then I saw a recent ad by a seller who is associated with the BCA who claims he obtained a letter to confirm the original invoice info for a composed small gauge set in Midas Grade. I suggest calling BrowninG in Ogden, UT and get the story from them - but my understanding is (most recently) they only provide 'look-ups' and letters for BCA members, currently.
Reviewing photos in this thread..... The shorter set of barrels are aftermarket as manufactured by Simmons Gun Specialties of K.C., MO.
