Quick answers to your questions:

Yes - by special order only.
Yes - refer to Schwing
Re: Configuration - Refer to a similar discussion from 4 years ago -

https://www.shotgunworld.com/bbs/viewtopic.php?f=53&t=435358

Happy Hunting!

 

I have a 1963 20ga Diana for sale. RKLT 261/2" bbls choked IC & Mod. Clean, beautiful wood, factory case and paperwork.
PM for information.
Chip

 

I have a 1963 20ga Diana for sale. RKLT 261/2" bbls choked IC & Mod. Clean, beautiful wood, factory case and paperwork.
PM for information.
Chip

A big thanks to Chip for selling me this gun. Its everything he said it was and even looks better in person. Didn't realize that the early 60's Diana superposed 20 ga. would be that hard to find. Also: A thanks also goes out to Anatidae who through his research found the name of the engraver-Jeanine Vanderspiegel. I only found J. Vanderspiegel in the Schwing Book and the engraving on the gun is signed just "Spiegel". Thanks again to these gentlemen!

 

'Glad it ended well for both of you - Thanks for your kind acknowledgement.

 

'Glad it ended well for both of you - Thanks for your kind acknowledgement.

Now I'm thinking about buying alittle brother to this gun in 28 gauge. How hard is it going to be to find a 28 gauge Diana RNLT in field chokes(imp-mod) made from 1960 to 65 in mint to new condition?

 

What a great quest!

A 28ga will be quite the prize. Expensive!! :shock: Be prepared for sticker shock.

I would start with the well-reputed dealers that deal regularly with the Superposed high grades.

Best wishes!

CFB

 

What a great quest!

A 28ga will be quite the prize. Expensive!! :shock: Be prepared for sticker shock.

I would start with the well-reputed dealers that deal regularly with the Superposed high grades.

Best wishes!

CFB

The prices must be down alittle right now except for the crazy prices on guns international or maybe 70's guns don't bring the money that the early 60's do. Today a couple of 28 ga. guns sold at Morphy auctions: Lot 3627 Midas 28 ga. made in 1973 brought $14400 with premium and Lot 3628: 28 ga.Diana made in 1975 brought $9900 with premium. This gun lettered as skeet choked but had imp-mod. barrels that serial numbered to the action. I would have bought Lot 3186 a Diana 20 ga.(beautiful wood) that was made in 1974(RNLT) for $9000 if I hadn't already bought the 1963 Diana 20. Lot 3424 might have been the best deal though at $7500 with premium added.

 

Morphy had a lot of nice Brownings in that auction-good business to be in 20% vig on buyers end !

 

The only legitimately mint 'Y'-tang 28ga Diana on the market (that I'm aware of) sold for just above $22,000 and that was 2 years ago. I have only seen 3 'Y'-tang F Di's in the last 6 years. 'U'-tangs do not command NEAR the price the Y-tangs do. And the prices realized at auctions in general are, at best, an indication of the item's condition, authenticity and desirability to an on-site bidder. If the price seems low, then there's usually a good reason that you won't know unless you inspected the item yourself. They are not all alike. Knowledgeable collectors are very discerning about the details. Items that go to remote bidders could either be substandard examples or sold above a knowledgeable, self-respecting, and discriminating on-site bidder's limit.

 

I totally agree with Anatidae.

In my post, I assumed that you were looking for a top condition pre-1966 (pre-salt era) Diana in 28ga. with RKLT. That's why I recommended you shop only the reputable top-end dealers. I would only buy a Y-top-tang Diana with RKLT, if you can find one. And I'm thinking such a Diana Superposed in 28ga with those specifications would be in the $20,000 to $27,000 range.

IMHO, the salt-era and 70s guns are not as desirable or collectable. That's why you saw those 70s guns go cheaper at the auctions.

CFB

 

I totally agree with Anatidae.

In my post, I assumed that you were looking for a top condition pre-1966 (pre-salt era) Diana in 28ga. with RKLT. That's why I recommended you shop only the reputable top-end dealers. I would only buy a Y-top-tang Diana with RKLT, if you can find one. And I'm thinking such a Diana Superposed in 28ga with those specifications would be in the $20,000 to $27,000 range.

IMHO, the salt-era and 70s guns are not as desirable or collectable. That's why you saw those 70s guns go cheaper at the auctions.

CFB

Was wondering what years the salt-era included and was this a concern on all of Browning's lumber?

 

The only legitimately mint 'Y'-tang 28ga Diana on the market (that I'm aware of) sold for just above $22,000 and that was 2 years ago. I have only seen 3 'Y'-tang F Di's in the last 6 years. 'U'-tangs do not command NEAR the price the Y-tangs do. And the prices realized at auctions in general are, at best, an indication of the item's condition, authenticity and desirability to an on-site bidder. If the price seems low, then there's usually a good reason that you won't know unless you inspected the item yourself. They are not all alike. Knowledgeable collectors are very discerning about the details. Items that go to remote bidders could either be substandard examples or sold above a knowledgeable, self-respecting, and discriminating on-site bidder's limit.

Im alittle confused on the Y-tang dates. I thought they didn't start changing them until 1966. My Diana is a 1963 and has the U style tang. I knew the 1960-66 guns with the RNLT were worth more but without the Y tang- how much difference does that hurt the value on the early guns.

 

I totally agree with Anatidae.

In my post, I assumed that you were looking for a top condition pre-1966 (pre-salt era) Diana in 28ga. with RKLT. That's why I recommended you shop only the reputable top-end dealers. I would only buy a Y-top-tang Diana with RKLT, if you can find one. And I'm thinking such a Diana Superposed in 28ga with those specifications would be in the $20,000 to $27,000 range.

IMHO, the salt-era and 70s guns are not as desirable or collectable. That's why you saw those 70s guns go cheaper at the auctions.

CFB

I am looking for a pre-66 28ga Diana but I assumed that they all would have the Y tang. After looking at my 63 gun-I see where thats not the case. Actually its the first I've heard that the U tang can be paired with a RNLT and not be as valuable. Looks like the prices you see for most of the late high grade Brownings on guns international are dealers hoping to catch a sucker on the crazy high prices there asking.

 

Was wondering what years the salt-era included and was this a concern on all of Browning's lumber?

Salt-era strocks of Browning Superposed guns has been a frequent topic on this forum. If you do a search, you'll find some great info. But here is a short review.

Browning used stocks cured with salt on some, but not all, of its guns from 1966 thru 1972. The salt cured stocks caused rust on the gun metal. It was mostly the high-grade short-tanged guns that were affected. But there are exceptions. And those dates are NOT set in stone. I have seen later guns affected. My rule of thumb is if I'm buying a Superposed made after 1965, then I'm testing the stock and forend with silver nitrate. You may obtain a bottle of silver nitrate and instructions from Art's Gun Shop, or send the gun to Art's for testing. You may also go to Art's website to watch a video about it. Schwing's book on the Superposed also has a section on the salt wood era.

I hope that helps.

CFB

 

Was wondering what years the salt-era included and was this a concern on all of Browning's lumber?

Salt-era strocks of Browning Superposed guns has been a frequent topic on this forum. If you do a search, you'll find some great info. But here is a short review.

Browning used stocks cured with salt on some, but not all, of its guns from 1966 thru 1972. The salt cured stocks caused rust on the gun metal. It was mostly the high-grade short-tanged guns that were affected. But there are exceptions. And those dates are NOT set in stone. I have seen later guns affected. My rule of thumb is if I'm buying a Superposed made after 1965, then I'm testing the stock and forend with silver nitrate. You may obtain a bottle of silver nitrate and instructions from Art's Gun Shop, or send the gun to Art's for testing. You may also go to Art's website to watch a video about it. Schwing's book on the Superposed also has a section on the salt wood era.

I hope that helps.

CFB

I didn't intend to hijack the thread. I appreciate you responding. I'm fairly new to this and have never heard of the salt-era on the Brownings. I'll try a search on the subject.

 

The most creative explanation I've heard is: "the warehouse in California where all the Claro walnut was stored caught fire and was extinguished with saltwater." :lol: BWAAAAAAAHAHAHAhahahahahaha!!!! :lol:

 

The only legitimately mint 'Y'-tang 28ga Diana on the market (that I'm aware of) sold for just above $22,000 and that was 2 years ago. I have only seen 3 'Y'-tang F Di's in the last 6 years. 'U'-tangs do not command NEAR the price the Y-tangs do. And the prices realized at auctions in general are, at best, an indication of the item's condition, authenticity and desirability to an on-site bidder. If the price seems low, then there's usually a good reason that you won't know unless you inspected the item yourself. They are not all alike. Knowledgeable collectors are very discerning about the details. Items that go to remote bidders could either be substandard examples or sold above a knowledgeable, self-respecting, and discriminating on-site bidder's limit.

I probably missed the boat when a 1965 Pointer grade 28ga came up on guns international last week. It was listed in ex. condition(looked newish) with a Browning case-26 1/2 inch barrels imp. and mod. with factory letter and paperwork for $22,500. It appeared to be a really nice gun and I wish now that I would have called for more details. I seem to like the engraving on the Diana Grade better than the Pointer grade and was hesitant in pulling the trigger. I now realize that those early high grade guns in 28 ga don't come up very often and how rare this gun really was.

 

* * * . . . I now realize that those early high grade guns in 28 ga don't come up very often and how rare this gun really was.

And that, sir, is a true statement. :s

I searched for years to find a Grade I pre-1967 RKLT 28ga with 28in barrels. And when I finally did, it cost $$$$! :shock: I've been following 28ga prices for many years. 28s are the cat's MEOW, IMHO!!

CFB

 

A guy I used to shoot with had a Diana grade 28 gauge 28 inch barrels choked IC/Mod with some spectacular wood and very well executed engraving. All original until he insisted on sending it to Briley for CTs. I tried to talk him out of it but he would not listen. What a shame as it was a very nice gun as is. He sold it a couple years later and got a bit more than what he had in it out, but I was still astonished by how stubborn and stupid some folks can be. I no longer shoot with him!

 

A guy I used to shoot with had a Diana grade 28 gauge 28 inch barrels choked IC/Mod with some spectacular wood and very well executed engraving. All original until he insisted on sending it to Briley for CTs. I tried to talk him out of it but he would not listen. What a shame as it was a very nice gun as is. He sold it a couple years later and got a bit more than what he had in it out, but I was still astonished by how stubborn and stupid some folks can be. I no longer shoot with him!

What??!! :shock: :evil:

CFB

 

A guy I used to shoot with had a Diana grade 28 gauge 28 inch barrels choked IC/Mod with some spectacular wood and very well executed engraving. All original until he insisted on sending it to Briley for CTs. I tried to talk him out of it but he would not listen. What a shame as it was a very nice gun as is. He sold it a couple years later and got a bit more than what he had in it out, but I was still astonished by how stubborn and stupid some folks can be. I no longer shoot with him!

What??!! :shock: :evil:

CFB

True story. Here is another.

Some people are so wedded to the concept of screw chokes that they are IMO stubbornly stupid! Another example, this same guy ordered an Abbiaticco and Salvenelli (Famars) O/U 12 gauge bespoke gun which was choked about LM and IM per his instructions. Beautifully engraved with Bulino style engraving and just a really great gun for many uses.

As soon as he got it, he was also going to send it off for CTs. I told him that the factory took great pains to see that it patterned well to the choke designations that he specified. Why mess with it? I finally convinced him to sell it rather than have CTs mess it up any. Like I said I don't shoot with him anymore.