Serial no. 3735. 12 gauge. 27 1/2 inch barrels with a solid matted concave rib and single bead. Barrels marked Fabrique Nationale d'Armes de guerre Herstal/Made in Belgium Browning Patents. Casehardened boxlock action engraved with fine foliate scroll and floral details. Top lever marked FN. Double triggers. Automatic safety. Ejectors. Finely checkered straightgrip stock of dark walnut. Finely checkered fore-end. Period Hawkins recoil pad. English leather trunk case with Cogswell and Harrison label and numerous shipping labels. . Accessories include snap caps, cleaning rod, solvent, cleaning cloths, and patches. Letters from owner to Val Browning concerning the sale of the gun in 1932. Leather cartridge bag with shipping labels.
Condition: Very Good. Action showing 70-80% case colors. Barrels showing 96-98% bluing. Bright bores with a trace of riveling. Wood shows areas of raised grain, losses to finish and nicks and scratches. Case in very good-good condition with scuffing to exterior and insect losses to lining. Cartridge bag in good condition showing wear to exterior.
Data: Barrel Dimensions: Bore: 0.726/0.726. Chokes: 0.034/0.023 inches (Full/Improved Modified). Chamber: 2 3/4 inches. Stock Dimensions: Pull: 14 3/8 inches. Drop at comb: 1 1/2 inches. Drop at heel: 2 1/8 inches. Weight: 6 pounds 11 ounces.
See Illustration
Note: The gun was purchased from Val Browning by the father of the present owner in 1932. From the enclosed set of letters from the owner to Val Browning dated in 1932, Mr. Browning described the gun as "special model" and being "the only one we have made so far with an automatic safety" and the retail price in the States would be "$250". The gun appears to be similar to a C1 grade. The owner took the gun to England where he had the gun cased by Cogswell and Harrison. He transported the gun to England a number of times as witnessed by the numerous shipping labels, Cunnard White Star and Anchor Lines.
