Hello, I have recently come in possesion of 2 Brownings o/u , The first one is : serialnr : 57226 S8 ( 1968 ? ) Fabrique National D'Armes De Guerre __ Herstal. Belgique Special Steel 12ga Shells 2 3/4 ( both on the left side of the barrel ) Made in Belgium __ Browning Patent ( on the right side of the barrel ) 12 bore 70 cm barrels 6mm rib wich ends to 4 mm *- and **- choke ( 3/4 and 1/4 ) Nice grade wood with teardrop , forend looks like a 3 piece without the screws. nice deep engraving with dog flushing pheasant left and dog flushing duck on the right and scrolls including triggerguard , dogs head on bottom , silver shine. i can't see a signature. Overall in mint condition, hardly been used . there is however no mention of B25 on the barrels. Second one is: serialnr : 324NX02243 ( no idea of year ) Browning Arms Company Morgan, Utah & Montreal PQ Made in Belgium by Browning SA ( Both on the left side of the barrel ) Mod B25 - 20ga - 2 3/4" ( on the right side of the barrel ) 20 bore 67 cm barrels even 5-6 mm rib * and ** choke ( full and half ) nice dark medium quality wood , no teardrop. straight normal rounded forend. engraving with 2 pheasant flying on the left and 2 ducks on the right both sides have a blank oval edge around the scene with some light scrolls around and bottom signed by D Matagne in used condition Now my question is for the first one, is it a B25 or another type and if is a B25 is it normal that some engraving was left without signature or could this have been done outside by another gunsmith/engraver ? Second gun is in need of some " TLC " , previous owner did a bit too much polishing espicially on the triggerguard wich has turned almost dark grey. The production date is also a bit of a mystery for me. Since we are not allowed to use lead shot where i live i was wondering if anyone has any knowledge of re-choking of these guns especially for the 20 bore ( https://www.teaguechokes.com/teague-multi-chokes )
Briley (https://www.briley.com/) is the place to ask about re-choking fixed chokes on vintage guns, and if the barrel thickness will even allow steel-rated chokes. For Brownings of this vintage, "*" indicates full choke, and "**" indicates improved cylinder; "*-" is modified, and "**-" is improved modified.
These are questions one would normally ask prior to acquisition to confirm the production details and history (originality and authenticity) and to establish a reasonable valuation. Yes, 57225 S8 appears to be a B25 It is unlikely that this particular engraving pattern (if it is actually 'factory' engraved) would be unsigned by the engraver, however some FN engravers refused to sign P-series guns that were partially 'chemically-etched'. Close-up photos of the engraving details AND the top tang of the receiver (showing the serial number under the opening lever) would help some of us to determine authenticity. Regarding the 2nd example - 'NX' is the year code for '03' (2003) One other solution for shooting non-toxic ammunition would be to reduce the constriction of the full choke barrel to Modified (or less).
Unless the S1 chokes are designed specifically for B25's - The only 'problem' would depend on whether the owner doesn't mind if the resultant points of impact of the chokes oppose each other. Perhaps Teague has overcome this - but Briley typically advises their customers that they cannot install choke tubes in a B25 Superposed precisely 'true' with the bore lines.........there is not enough metal in the 'flat' portions of each barrel where they meet. Thus, the POI of the bottom barrel will be slightly lower, and the POI of the upper barrel will be slightly higher than centerlines of their respective bores.
That's interesting information. I have a 69 broad rib superposed myself that had the Briley work done by Briley in Texas very early 2000"s It got the S1 choke treatment while at Skeet Worlds in San Antonio before coming home. The workmanship was certainly first class as I know plenty about the machining game. What fits your comment nicely was they offered an offset correction and orientated choke should the pattern be adversely affected. I checked mine before leaving and nothing noticeable had changed. However I have witnessed and handled a job that Briley agent here down under sent out the door that behaved as your description.
