Make: Browning
Model: Superposed Lightning
Serial Number: 31698 V4, All serialized parts match.
Year of Manufacture: 1964
Gauge: 20 Gauge 2 3/4" and 3" Shells
Action Type: Over/Under, Top Break Shotgun w/ Ejectors, and Single selective inertial trigger. The safety does not reset automatically.
Barrel Length: 26.5" Vented Rib.
Choke: Fixed Chokes, Full over Modified.
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a small silver bead affixed to the front of the rib. The rib has checkering for glare reduction.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The furniture is a two-piece checkered high gloss walnut set. The stock is a Prince of Wales grip, fluted straight comb, with a Pachmayr vented rubber butt pad. The forend is a rounded thin profile, non removable, forend. The LOP measures 15". The drop at comb is 1 3/8ths" the drop at heel is 1.75" and the shotgun weighs 6lbs 6OZ. The cast is very slightly right handed. The wood shows some surface level lines, small nicks in the high gloss finish and minor compressions scattered throughout. There are no chips or cracks. The butt pad is still semi pliable showing minor rub wear on the toe. Overall the furniture set is in about Very Good+ condition.
Type of Finish: Blue
Finish Originality: Original.
Bore Condition: The smooth bores are mirror bright with no erosion. The bores show no lines or plastic fouling. In this writer’s opinion the bores rate 10/10.
Overall Condition: This shotgun retains about 98% of its finish. The bottom barrel has the signature Superposed rub mark from the forend. The barrels show light scattered marks. The inside of the action shows some minor rub wear. Along the joint where the rib meets the barrel there are some small spots of rust freckling. The forend iron shows some very small rust freckles. There is rub wear under the safety. The markings are clear and the screw heads are sharp. The slot on the forend screw shows some surface rust. Overall this shotgun is in Fine+ 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 Lightning was manufactured in Belgium in 1964 and is a classic example of John M. Browning's final firearm design. Chambered in 20 gauge with desirable 3-inch chambers, it features 26.5-inch barrels with fixed Full over Modified chokes, making it an excellent choice for upland game where the shooter may encounter both close and longer-range opportunities. Hand-built by FN in Liège, the Superposed earned a worldwide reputation for its exceptional craftsmanship, durability, and lively handling, becoming one of the most respected over-under shotguns ever produced. The smaller 20-gauge frame offers a wonderfully balanced feel, making this Lightning model especially quick to the shoulder and effortless to swing.
This example is fitted with beautifully figured, high-gloss checkered walnut featuring the classic Prince of Wales grip and the distinctive rounded Lightning-style forend. The streamlined stock dimensions and lightweight configuration make it one of the most graceful field guns Browning ever produced. Mechanically, the shotgun is equally impressive, with bores that rate a perfect 10/10, reflecting outstanding internal condition. Combining its Belgian manufacture, desirable 20-gauge chambering, classic field configuration, and exceptional bore condition, this 1964 Browning Superposed Lightning is a timeless sporting shotgun equally at home in the field or in a fine collection.
