Ken:
I just purchased a 1967 20 gauge "lightning" model. This is right in the time when "salt" wood was a problem. The gun is stocked in (really poor quality) Claro walnut which as I understand it was the type of wood that Browning purchased and salt cured.
The gun showed no significant pitting anywhere that I could visually inspect. I had the sellers remove the buttplate and the buttplate screws were clean and showed no rust. Once I returned to my home I pulled the buttstock and forearm and again no signs of rust. I figure if you are not seeing signs of salt damage after nearly 40 years probably not too much to worry about. I purchased the gun at a price that was approximately 1/2 of what I see 20 gauge superposed listed on Guns America, etc...So, the stigma of a "salt" gun certainly depressed this guns value in the eye's of the seller.
Hope my recent experience helps with your inquiry.
