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Browning Superposed Diana Skeet, 20 Ga, RARE 28" bls,, Kowalski engraved - As New
Guns International #: 100973021 Seller's Inventory #: 68-2017
Category: Browning Belgium Shotguns - O/U Superposed Diana - Browning Belgium Shotguns - O/U Superposed
Seller's Information
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Seller: rcrwin70
Member Since: 9/26/07
First Name: Roger
State: Hawaii
Country: United States
Platinum Seller
Number of Active Listings: 0
Seller: Private Seller
Return Policy: 3 day inspection and return policy on used guns.
3 days
Payment Types Accepted: cashiers check or money order or pay pal plus 3%
Description:
SOLD ** Browning Superposed Diana Lightning Skeet, o/u, 20 Ga., 28”bl. Kowalski engraved
Mint Condition
BROWNING, O/U, Belgium Superposed 20 GA, Diana Grade built in 1968 that remains totally original, in Collector-best condition with hard-to-find 28” barrels, standard 5/16” (non-Broadway) cross-hatched Ventilated Rib, Competition-style Forend and factory recoil pad. This Diana was engraved by the Belgian Master engraver, R.Kowalski, and is unusually signed on both sides of the receiver. Bores are Skeet/Skeet as Factory marked (**$ and **$). Chambers are 2 ¾.” Single selective trigger.
Stock measures 14 3/8” x 1 5/8”” x 2 1/8” over the factory trap pad with the Browning logo, 6.6 lbs. Inspected carefully for salt by Browning specialist, Art Issacs, and cleared as absolutely “a no salt wood gun”. Very nice wood figure as only the best are selected and saved for the Diana and Midas grades. This piece is 1968 original and still retains 99% original factory blue, 100% coin finish receiver, and 100% checkering (no missing diamonds, nearly all still sharp).
In their book, Gamefield Classics, Michael McIntosh and Bill Headrick dedicate a chapter to the Browning Superposed, “John Browning’s Masterpiece.” They go into great detail as to why this gun holds an important role in the history of over-and-unders, but specifically, about 20 gauge with 28 inch barrels, the authors write:
“it is the American over/under, possessed of an undeniably handsome charm. Especially the smallbores. All three sub-gauges are built on a 20-bore frame, and the 20s are particularly pleasing, both to the eye and in the hands. Because they were introduced at the same time the short-barrel craze descended upon American gunning, the majority of them have been built with the 66cm barrels, roughly 26 ½” inches. These handle well enough… but some… were barreled to a full 28 inches, and their handling characteristics are simply superb. Combine that with traditional Browning quality and you have a classic gun that can shoot with the best.”
This remarkable gun being offered here is one of those rare 20 gauges, built on a 20-bore frame with the rare 28 inch barrels, and in MINT condition.
Engraving is hammer and chisel, deep, clean and executed masterfully with a combination of acanthus vines and leaves and game animals. On the underside of the receiver are two quail in flight and two rabbits or hares on the trigger guard. On the left side of the receiver are five ringneck pheasants, one in flight. On the right side are four ducks with two in flight. All other “grayed” parts are engraved: the upper tang, the lower tang and the forearm escutcheon metal.
The original finish of the highly figured Diana-grade wood is still at 99% while the wood color and figure will rival any Diana, and are better than many on this gun. The beautifully carved wrap-around Diana checkering patterns are extensive wrapping over the wrist and fully around the forearm and remain at 100%, Browning designers adopted the fine checkering (28 lpi) to show the beautiful grain figure and color through the checkering, which it does here.
The bores are as new, and the gun is in perfect mechanical condition. It is all original, and all there, including its original Browning fitted hard case with Browning logo.
Marc Murphy of Michael Murphy Guns, a Browning Custom Shop authorized dealer, was asked in December 2012, what a new Browning Superposed Diana Grade would cost made by their Leige Belgium Custom Shop and here was his answer:
“Just heard back from the browning custom shop, they are saying 12-16 months and $22 K without custom alterations.” -- Marc
You will look hard to find a Diana this nice with wood having this great color and figure, set up both to win any trap match and to catch the attention of everyone in the field as a great and beautiful field gun. This is a very rare piece in that respect.
Price: $12,750.00
Seller is the author of The Rifleman’s Rifle (Winchester pre-64 Model 70s) and will furnish a Letter of Provenance that this gun is from his collection. Please check out author’s feedback on ebay under rcrwin70roger. 3-day non-firing inspection for full refund, shipping is $50 to buyer’s FFL, payment by MO, certified check , wire transfer or personal check with wait for validation. For questions, call (678) 971-4173 and ask for Roger.
SOLD