Where would I find out the DOB and value of a Belgium Browning Superposed "Lightning" . I have been on the net and prices are from $900 to $3,800. Also how to tell differences in them??? ......thanks

I might be able to help. I've got Schwing's book, "The Browning Superposed" which has a good list of numbers up to the mid 70s and maybe later if I looked harder.......post the number and ga (leave out last 2 or 3 digits, use Xs).

As far as value goes, used Superposes are, IMO, one of the best values in shotgundom on today's market. Many of the younger shooters don't know anything about them, but for 40 years or so they were THE O/U and they haven't gotten worse with age. Smaller gauges bring quite a bit more,any with "broadway" ribs bring quite a bit less than average, but it is entirely possible to pick up a very fine example of 12 ga for $2000 or less, make it in slightly lesser condition and it can be closer to $1000. These are very fine guns for that kind of money. It would be difficult to value your gun reasonably accurately without knowing more about it, ga, condition, any modifications, etc?

Gatagordo; thanks for reply. I happenend to take it in a trade for work. It was my dream gun when I was younger. It is un-altered and a "Lightning". Alas I am currently in FL. and gun is in a safe in TN. Later this week I'll have ser. # BTW. It has a round knob, and 2 beads, some fantastic wood and original case.

No problem, I'll do my best to look it up when you get it to me. Use a PM if you'd prefer.

As far as exact value, I'm not really current on real prices so that would be more a matter of research and watching GB from my POV.

997XX S9 It has 26.5" barrels, 2 white beads. and it looks like 14.5 LOP. However it has what I believe to be an after market recoil pad (Whiteline). Condition: 98.5 %. Due to marks where fore end has been removed on lower barrel.....................thanks....otto

Well, if you copied the numbers down right it is a bit of a mystery, according to my book it should end in S69 but, either way, it is a 12 ga and was probably made in or near 1970. To be specific the 12 ga ser #s listed for 1969 are 84731S8 thru 99999S69 and 1S69 thru 4881S69 and for 1970 4882S69-18900S70. The earlier years in the sixties did end in say S7 for 1967, S6 for 1966, etc. but, again, according to this book, there are no S9 numbers. However, it could have been a transition and they stamped it using the old system.

As far as value goes, that depends on a willing buyer and seller, but I'd put it somewhere in the $1300 to $1600 range, but that is an just a bit more than an educated guess. Also, be advised that it is right in the middle of the "salt" wood years and should be checked.

Just for an example, I bought an early 60s model 3 inch Superposed a couple of days ago on GB for $999.00 but it had been gouged around the front latch wood, but otherwise was what I'd call a 90+% gun. Most 3 inchers in good shape are closer to the numbers I mentioned above for your gun.

Thanks. I aquired this shotgun to keep and shoot. (I have a son in SD's Pheasant Capital). The original owner bought it when he was stationed in Gernany in the early 70's so transistion stage is probably right on. Wood is highly figured and stock& forearm match. Does not appear to be any rust issue

Your gun, but I stress that it is in the prime "salt" years and it seemed the better wood was more likely to be salty than others. The way it was done, the top of the stacks were not as salty so it may or may not have damage that would be visible. I'd check it, or, at least pull the butt stock and look. BTW, just because the butt is salt free doesn't necessarily make the fore end salt free. I'm not trying to scare you, just telling you.

BTW it is certainly possible the wood has been replaced unless you bought it from the original owner and he knew it hadn't......to their everlasting credit Browning stood up and did the right thing about the salt wood guns, even tho it costs them millions of dollars that they could ill afford.

I'm considering a Diana but it was made in the middle of the salt years and I'm not a buyer unless I KNOW it is salt free. Owner says, "no salt signs" so I asked if he had pulled the stock and looked, "Well, no...." so I said I'd pass until he either had it checked (1% silver nitrate solution) or at least pulled the stock and could tell me that it was corrosion free.

Thanks. Your advice is appreciated. I will have a gunsmith check it out.