I'd be interested in opinions on the 28 gauge Superposed listed on Guns International, #101486895.

What do those knowledgeable about the Superposed think about this gun? Salt wood?

I contacted Cabelas about the gun, but it's already sold. So my question is just for my edification.

Here's the quote from Ned Schwing's book: "THE BROWNING SUPERPOSED"
page no. 246 concerning the salt wood affected stocks: "....at least ninety per cent of all stocks for all Browning firearms for the years 1967 through 1969."

A 26.5 inch barrel New Model Skeet Gun is probably the least desirable 28-gauge to the purest collectors. I can't see any salt issues in the pictures, but would want to examine close up before buying. I paid twice that for my 28-gauge Grade 1 New Model Skeet with 28-inch barrels.

A lot of salt era guns went back to Browning for warranty correction but unless documentation was kept with the gun who knows. I shoot a full set of 28-inch barrel New Model Skeet Guns, no salt issues on any.

I tried to buy it yesterday, It was sold before the ad on GI broke.
Most definitely SaltWood, Crappy photos but you could see discoloration around the receiver, left side.
Phone call confirmed it. Perfect candidate for a restoration / upgrade. Salt schmalt!

Had a friend in MI that had the forceing cones streached in his Super 28. Found LIGHT Carefull!

bill

Yeah Bob as soon as I saw it I figured it might be one you'd be interested in.

Bill, not sure I understand those last few words. Do you mean they cut through the barrel wall? I hope not!

SRH

I think he means that the back boring ran into one of those outside the barrels pits no one worrys about, but which can be formidable on a salt gun...Geo

The Superposed 28-gauge and .410-bore guns were really Skeet Guns made to weigh the same as the Standard weight 20-gauges so their barrels are plenty heavy. Browning never offered the 28-gauge and .410-bore as Lightnings. Hunting versions were an afterthought.

Yes, when I say he found light I am saying the smith made a hole in the barrel wall. The barrels were destroyed. No salt was involed, no pits, just a reamer and standard unmodified super barrels
bill

What exactly is the purpose of lengthening the forcing cones on a 28 gauge?

Well, yea, that, and how does a “gunsmith” not measure where he is about to cut, and not figure out in advance there isn’t material to accomplish what he is attempting?

Best,
Ted

I think the guy who found the light owes you a new gun...Geo

Back to the OP's question,
Note the degradated border where receiver meets forend.

Bob, the pic's not sharp enough for me to see what you're referring to. Any way for you to clear it up, or highlight the areas you're talking about? What do you mean by "degraded border"?

Thanks, SRH

Hey Stan, How are you? Hope your family is well.

I just enlarged the sellers crumby image.
Look closely where the receiver meets forend wood.
Definitely not blue.

I'm fine, Bob. All the family is, too. Thanks for asking.

I can see the discoloration now. Is that a telltale sign of salt problems? With that amount of discoloration would you expect to see pitting where the the forend iron meets the wood?

SRH

Some guns had Salty Buttstocks, some a Salty Forend, some both. Wood sometimes changed color, finish bubbles, burned edges, depending how "hot".
Anywhere metal met wood, again depending how hot, rust ensued. If your ever curious, look at the escutcheon on the forend or pull a screw out of the buttplate/pad.

It really never sleeps.

Thanks, Bob.

SRH

The inside usually looks a lot worse than the outside. Art's website shows a lot of information about salt Brownings.

I first learned of Browning salt guns when I was in college in the late '60s. An acquaintance had a pair of Browning over and unders in 12ga and 20ga. He came from a rich family and they were gifts from his mother. Both guns were severely rusted. I just passed it off as a spoiled rich kid at the time.

Then I learned of the salt gun experiment and felt sorry I had presumed his indolence. Nah, he was actually just a spoiled rich kid...Geo

I learned the basics of the issue back in the 70s, but having never had any interest in Superposeds I never had any curiosity concerning the details about spotting them, etc. Still don't have any interest in them ............ just never been a big Browning fan. My only one is my old BSS duck gun.

Thanks for the salt schooling, guys.

SRH

Winchester had salt wood, too. And there were other gun manufacturers that used salt wood.