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Dryriver

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Discussion starter · #1 ·
A few months ago I posted on the Forum information about my Browning Superposed 12 gauge. To make the story shorter; I purchased the gun in 1967, shot dove & quail, but life changes & put it away for some 25 years. Upon taking it out to sell it, I found out about "salt guns" & yes, mine had some barrel rust along the forearm, but nothing I thought too bad. However a gunsmith said I should send it to Browning since I was the original owner & still had the certificates.

I sent in to Browning & didn't hear anything for a couple of months, so I called and was told that it needed a new stock, forearm, barrel work, etc. and gave me an 8 months finish date. Called again after 6 - 7 months since nothing on their web site about progress.

Anyway, after 13 months I was surprised to get a phone call from Browning one afternoon. Bad news, my gun was in bad shape and it would take many hours to fix and require some 6 -8 months more time. ( Don't understand why it took 13 months to determine that).

Instead of fixing my gun, would I take a new Browning Citori 725 12 gauge? I really don't know anything about the Citori, but had seen several comments on this Forum that were favorable so I said OK, that seemed to me like a fair deal. I selected the 28" barrel and they said they would ship it in 5-10 days. I guess it is the Filed Grade since he said the MSRP was $2,469 I think. I guess you have to give great credit for Browning to honor their guarantee for a 45 year old product.

Now I need to find a buyer who would like a modern gun instead of a classic since I can't use it, my legs just are not what they were 45 years ago

Tell me fellows, did I make a fair deal? And does this improve the image of Browning?
 
#3 ·
I will go out on a limb and say that you probably got a good deal. Many are raving about the 725 and you should be able to find a buyer easier, and for more money, than a vintage rebuilt superposed (assuming it is a commonly configured, grade 1 Superposed).
I say this as a huge admirer of the superposed. I also believe that Browning did the right thing in your case.
Good luck.

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#4 ·
I would opt for a new field grade 725 over any old clapped out Superposed. The allure of the old Superposed is what intrigues many Browning junkies. Now a new custom ordered B-25, that's a different story, but they start at around $20K plus...
 
#6 ·
chairman said:
...salt guns are almost unsellable and I thought Browning did nothing anymore for them .
Click to expand...
I believe that statement to be false.
They"re not branded with a "Scarlet S"
Here's a 1967 Pigeon 28 gauge with 28" barrels, restored "Salty". Work done by Art Isaacson, an "expert", who will tell you a restored Saltwood gun is as good as factory new.
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#8 ·
Dryriver:

The loss of a Superposed is a sad thing . . . but you did very well in your trade. I think the 725 will be Browning's new Superposed!

Moreover, for Browning to stand behind its 45 year old product is an incredible example of integrity! Good to hear that JMB's principles are still alive and well. :D

Best wishes,

CFB
 
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#9 ·
Kudos to Browning for making things right and sending you the 725 Field. Browning has stellar customer sevice in my opinion. They replaced a very troublesome early A500 for me and fixed a saltwood Superposed back to like new condition.

I had a 1967 built Superposed salt wood gun completely redone top to bottom by Browning in the early 90's. The barrels weren't affected but the reciever had rust/corrosion where the stock met the reciever. The original owner had taken very good care of it and I got it for a very good price knowing I would be able to send it to Browning for repair. The gun came with a hard case, manual and all of the original purchase paperwork and the owner's warranty card. Told Browning it was my grandfathers and they told me to send it to them. Took about 6 months and the gun was like new. I ended up selling it for a tidy profit.
 
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#10 ·
I'll stand by a salt wood being unsellable, the OP had a rusty gun needing new wood and metal refinish. What you showed is what happens after Art's does that work, price it out. Getting that 725 was much better than trying to peddle a rusty gun for little money.
 
#11 ·
chairman said:
I'll stand by a salt wood being unsellable, the OP had a rusty gun needing new wood and metal refinish. What you showed is what happens after Art's does that work, price it out. Getting that 725 was much better than trying to peddle a rusty gun for little money.
Click to expand...
Unsellable? Balderdash! That's a ridiculous statement.

I purchased one in '91 for $700 and Browning repaired and reconditioned it for me...at no cost to me, not even the shipping ,and I sold it for $1200 a couple of years later. :oops:

Value history: During late 1966, Browning's salt wood problems began to emerge, and continued until 1972. Most experts have never seen a long tang salt gun, and therefore believe that almost 100% of the salt guns had short tangs. Depending on the damage (it can vary a lot), values for salt damaged guns can be reduced as much as 50% (heavy pitting and original salt wood). Those salt guns that have been restocked by Browning are accepted by the shooting fraternity, and can command as much as 90% of the value of non-salt original guns.
http://www.wiw2u.com/index.cfm?fuseacti ... _ID=148729

Example:
Browning Superposed Pigeon Grade 12 Ga. (Salt Wood) sale pending
Cabelas Mitchell, SD
Metal Condition - Because of the salt treated wood there is some light rust and light pitting where the metal is touching the wood.
http://www.cabelas.com/rogers-gun-libra ... od-1.shtml
 
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#12 ·
chairman said:
I'll stand by a salt wood being unsellable, the OP had a rusty gun needing new wood and metal refinish. What you showed is what happens after Art's does that work, price it out. Getting that 725 was much better than trying to peddle a rusty gun for little money.
Click to expand...
Re read the original post.
Browning didn't say they wouldn't do the restoration, just that they'd rather send a new production gun in its' stead. Art made his living at Browning restoring Saltwood guns and in all actuality would probably have been sent the OPs gun.

The OP wasn't trying to "peddle" a rusty gun, just lamenting that it was taking a long time.
I'll stand by my statement, I don't believe you know what you're talking about.
 
Discussion starter · #13 ·
That's correct. I wasn't trying to sell the gun until I found out if was damaged by the possible salt wood. It did not look very damaged, just some little rust where the forearm touched the barrel & it misfired on the top barrel.

Browning did not refuse to repair it, said it would take 6 to 8 months more & would be a lot of work. They offered me the Citori 725 instead of repairing my gun & I had to decide if I wanted the repaired Superposed classic or a new modern gun. I thought that was a fair offer & accepted it. ( It just took them a very long time to find out it's condition)

Browning's service web site says the Citori has been shipped & UPS says it will arrive Wednesday 9/26.

I'm not able to hunt any more so now I'm looking to sell a gun with no questions about it being a good, functioning gun.
 
#16 ·
chairman said:
You are only going to buy a salt gun for a VERY reduced price knowing the cost of repair, sure you can sell them. I did not say Browning wouldn't repair either.
Click to expand...
chairman, by any chance are you a politician, a lawyer or both? The reason I ask is you went from "almost unsellable" to "unsellable" then to "sure you can sell them".
Just askin'? {hs#
 
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#18 ·
2lo8s said:
chairman said:
...salt guns are almost unsellable and I thought Browning did nothing anymore for them .
Click to expand...
I believe that statement to be false.
They"re not branded with a "Scarlet S"
Here's a 1967 Pigeon 28 gauge with 28" barrels, restored "Salty". Work done by Art Isaacson, an "expert", who will tell you a restored Saltwood gun is as good as factory new.
Image

Image

Image

Image
Click to expand...
Yes and you do really well when he makes a short tang into a long tang.....
 
#19 ·
What are you saying?, that Art is faking the tang or using one from another gun? Come on, get real, there were some salt wood guns with long tangs, especially in higher grade models. The metal parts may wait for the build out schedule (possibly a year). That's when a salty piece would have been placed. Also some wood was less affected than others, placed on the top rung of the drying rack etc. As you know too, a stock may be salty and the forearm not. GJ
 
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