Make: Browning
Model: Superposed Lightning
Serial Number: 72478, all serialized parts match.
Year of Manufacture: 1959
Gauge: 12 Gauge, 2 3/4" Shells
Action Type: Over/Under, Top Break Shotgun w/ Ejectors, and Single selective inertial trigger. The safety does not automatically reset.
Barrel Length: 30" Vented Rib.
Choke: Fixed Full over Improved Modified.
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a Bradley style white bead. There is a smaller white mid bead. The rib has checkering for glare reduction.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The furniture set is a two-piece checkered walnut with Prince of Wales grip, straight comb, checkered round profile forend with full finger shelf, and a Browning black plastic butt plate. The LOP measures 13 5/8ths". The drop at comb is 1 3/8ths" and the drop at heel is 1.5". The shotgun weighs 7lbs 6OZ. The wood shows some small compressions and minor surface level lines scattered throughout. There are no chips or cracks. Overall the furniture is in Fine condition.
Type of Finish: Blue with gold toned trigger
Finish Originality: Original
Bore Condition: The smooth bores are mirror bright showing only minimal lines and no erosion or pitting. There is some barely visible plastic fouling just in front of the chambers. In this writer's opinion the bores rate 9.75/10.
Overall Condition: This shotgun retains about 93% of its metal finish. The lower tang, trigger guard and receiver edges show finish thinning / loss. The upper tang shows rub wear from the safety. The lower barrel shows a few small lines from the forend. The left side of the barrels have small rub marks near the muzzles. The trigger shows finish loss. The rib shows some minor finish thinning. The markings are clear, the pins un-marred. Overall, this shotgun is in about Very Good+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 1959 Browning Superposed Lightning is a beautifully crafted Belgian over/under shotgun designed by John Moses Browning and manufactured by FN Herstal. This model features 30 inch barrels chambered in 12 gauge, with fixed Full over Improved Modified chokes, making it well-suited for trap, sporting clays, or upland and waterfowl hunting. The checkered walnut furniture adds a classic, elegant touch, enhancing both aesthetics and grip.
This shotgun is equipped with a single selective inertial trigger, which uses recoil energy to reset for the second shot, providing a crisp and reliable trigger pull. The Superposed Lightning variant is known for its lighter weight compared to the standard Superposed, making it more responsive and balanced. The FN craftsmanship of this era is highly regarded, with hand-fitted components ensuring durability and smooth operation.
