Make: Browning, Belgian

Model: Midas Grade Broadway Trap

Serial Number: 22734 S70

Year of Manufacture: 1970

Gauge: 12 Gauge 2 ¾” Shells

Action Type: Over/Under, Shotgun w/ Ejectors, and single selective inertial trigger. The safety does not automatically re-set.

Markings: The upper barrel “BROWNING ARMS COMPANY” and “12 GA-SHELLS 2 3/4” MADE IN BELGIUM-BROWNING PATENT”. On the take down lever for the forend “2734S” and “S4 R8”. The locking tab “22734S70”. The left side of the Monoblock is marked “22734 SO” and “*” for the top barrel and “**” for the bottom. The ejectors are labeled “O” and “U”. The top of the tang is marked “22734 S70”. The safety selector “S U O”. The buttpad is marked “BROWNING”. Engraver signature “LRaison”. All standard Belgian proofs are present.

Barrel Length: 30”

Choke: Fixed FULL / MODIFIED

Sights / Optics: The front sight is a large white bead affixed to the front of the rib. There is a smaller white mid bead. The wide Broadway rib is finely checkered for glare reduction.

Stock Configuration & Condition: The high gloss high grade wood furniture is a two-piece checkered walnut set. We see no evidence this is salt wood. The stock is a checkered semi pistol grip, fluted straight comb, with a brown vented rubber Browning buttpad. The forend is a tapered full finger shelf forend. The forend is the Superposed non removable style forend. The LOP measures 14.25” from the trigger to the rear of the buttplate. The cast is about neutral / slightly right hand, the drop at comb is 1.5” and the drop at heel is 1.5”. The shotgun weighs 7lbs 12.5OZ. The wood shows no visible crazing and no notable marks or wear. Where the edges of the wood meet the metal of the receiver there is some discoloration under the gloss finish. But, again I see no evidence of salt wood. The rubber on the buttpad is soft and pliable showing only minor wear from age. Overall the furniture set on the shotgun is in Excellent condition.

Type of Finish: Blued barrels and receiver with 18 karat gold inlays. They also gold plated the firing pin tips, trigger and ejector rod tips.

Finish Originality: Original.

Bore Condition: The smooth bores are very bright with no erosion. There are some barely visible lines from use in the lower barrel. In this writer’s opinion the bores rate 10/10.

Overall Condition: This shotgun retains about 99% of its metal finish. The barrels show only a few very minor scattered marks from handling and of course the characteristic rub mark on the bottom barrel from the forend with a small line from the forend on the right side of the top barrel. The receiver and trigger show almost no signs of wear or handling other than some very minor finish loss under the safety. The markings are clear, the engraving beautiful and the screw heads are sharp. Overall this shotgun is in Excellent condition.

Mechanics: The action functions correctly including the ejectors. The forend is the Browning Non removable style forend. There is zero movement between the barrels and frame. The safety 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: This shotgun includes a Browning luggage style case.

Our Assessment: This 1970 Browning Superposed Midas Grade Broadway Trap is a premier example of Browning’s high-grade craftsmanship during the final years of Belgian production. This shotgun features 30-inch barrels choked full over modified, with a finely checkered Broadway wide rib topped by a large white front bead and smaller mid-bead for precise sight alignment. The action is masterfully engraved by L. Raison, showcasing detailed scrollwork accented with 18-karat gold inlays of pheasants, ducks, and a grouse. Gold plating on the firing pin tips, ejector rods, and trigger further enhances the gun’s luxurious presentation.

Its stock set is crafted from grade 6 walnut, exhibiting rich figure with sharp checkering, a semi-pistol grip, and a fluted straight comb for optimal handling in trap shooting. The tapered full finger shelf forend complements the elegant yet functional design. This combination of master engraving, precious metal accents, and premium wood places the Midas Grade Broadway Trap at the top tier of collectible and shootable over-under shotguns, truly this is a functional work of art that also breaks clays.