Make: Browning
Model: Superposed
Serial Number: 45083, all the serialized parts match.
Year of Manufacture: 1955
Gauge: 12 Gauge, 2 3/4" and 3" Shells
Action Type: Over/Under, top break shotgun w/ ejectors, and single selective inertial trigger.
Barrel Length: 28" low Rib.
Choke: The monobloc is marked for fixed Full over Modified. Our choke gauge shows closer to Modified over Modified. Both barrels show a constriction of about .018, 18 thousandths.
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a replacement Bradley style white bead front sight that is slightly loose. The rib has a small white mid bead. The rib is finely checkered.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The furniture is a two-piece checkered walnut set. The stock is a Prince of Wales style with a fluted straight comb, and a Browning vented rubber butt pad. The forend is the rounded traditional style Superposed non removable forend. The length of pull is 14.25". The drop at comb is 1.5" and the drop at heel is 2". The cast is essentially neutral. The shotgun weighs 7lbs 15 OZ. The wood shows scattered lines, compressions and scratches throughout. The edge of the wood around the upper tang shows a very small chip. There are no cracks. The butt pad is soft and pliable showing minor rub wear around the edges. Overall this furniture set is in about Good+ condition.
Type of Finish: Blued
Finish Originality: Original
Bore Condition: The smooth bores are bright with minor lines from use and minor plastic fouling. There is no erosion or pitting. In this writer's opinion the bores rate 9/10.
Overall Condition: This shotgun retains about 75% of its metal finish. The barrel set shows finish thinning at the muzzle, with scattered nicks and rub marks throughout along with the signature superposed rub mark from the forend. The receiver shows thinning finish throughout. The lower tang, trigger, trigger guard and receiver bottom have lost their finish and there is finish loss and rub wear under the safety. The inside of the action shows rub wear and the breech face has some very minor marks and pitting. The markings are clear and the screw heads show slight tool marks. Overall this shotgun is in about Good condition.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly including the ejectors. There is zero movement between the barrels and frame. The safety does NOT set automatically when the action is opened but functions properly when manually set. We have not fired this shotgun. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance standards.
Box, Paperwork & Accessories: None.
Our Assessment: This Browning Superposed 12 gauge from 1955 is a fine example of mid-20th-century shotgun craftsmanship, designed by the legendary John Moses Browning and completed by his son Val Browning after his death. As one of the last designs John Browning personally worked on, the Superposed is deeply respected for its elegant lines, robust engineering, and smooth handling characteristics. This particular model features 28 inch barrels with fixed chokes offering effective patterns for everything from flushing pheasants to longer shots over decoys. These longer shots are made easier with the 3" inch chambers featured in this model which were a relatively new feature for 1955.
The walnut furniture is a hallmark of the Superposed, hand-checkered and richly finished, and this example includes the graceful Prince of Wales grip, a semi-pistol grip that blends control with elegant styling. The result is a shotgun that shoulders naturally, balances well, and carries with the dignity of a fine European-inspired sporting arm. Models like this were the more "affordable" version of the Superposed, but even so, they carried fit and finish well beyond most production shotguns of the era. Made in Belgium at FN's Herstal factory, this 1955 Superposed is an enduring symbol of Browning's genius and the post-war golden era of sporting arms.
