doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion DoubleGun BBS @ doublegunshop.com 1961 Superposed price - Sanity check please

I've been eyeballing a 1961 Gr I 32" Lighting Trap. It's in the best condition of any used SP I've ever seen. I have to look hard to find a trace of rings on the breechface, and it's very tight - like a brand new gun. There is zero blue wear and the stock is 100% undinged and original. There's no paperwork, box, or case. It's part of a Long Island, NY collection that includes two M70s and another SP, 26 1/2", all in similar condition.

At $2,500, I don't think it's a good deal, but a fair deal.

What say you guys? Wayy too much?

I dont follow SP prices but my only question would be how common are the 32" tubes?

Yeti,
Frankly, any deal YOU think is good is a good deal. A 1961 Superposed with 32" barrels in mint condition for $2,500 sounds fair as well when you consider that you can't get the same quality from a new Japanese made Browning Citori or 525 Sporting for the same money.
For everyone who tells you it's only worth $1,900 or $1,500, you should ask if they have one they'd like to sell you. Mint 60's Brownings are not frequently encountered these days. So IMHO if you like it, buy it. If you pass, let me know.

A 1961 32" Lightning Trap with standard rib is not a catalogued item. It may be a European shipped product. The only 32" Super catalogued during that time was the Broadway, which was introduced in 1963, I think. I could be wrong about that. If it is a thin ribbed gun, it is very unusual on the U.S. market. A Broadway of a similar period is seldom a $2500 item.

Sharps,
That's about how I see it too. I'm just in the final stage of my standard GewehrkaufVerrücktheit (gun purchase psychodrama?) and I prefer a sanity check with you guys rather than with my wife. I already know her answer - "if it's really going to make you happy go ahead".

Storms,
It's a common gun and barrel length in uncommon condition. Maybe.

8-Bore,
The date is an estimate based on a 91XXX serial number. I'll double check, but I think the gun is a B'way.

Well, does it have the Broadway rib? A postwar 32" Browning Trap with standard rib is a rare bird in this country. I would be tempted to pay $2500 for a "new" one, if that's what it is, but not for a Broadway. Now that I think about it, I believe that 1961 is the introduction year for the Broadway.

1931 32" w/ stepped vent rib and Twin-Single Triggers.

I don't think it is redone and is currently about 90+% condition though I am slowly lowering that percentage.

Traded about $800 into it about 3-4 years ago. Did I do ok?

Yeti,
I must agree with "eightbore" on the issue of the narrow ribe Lightning Trap versus a Broadway Trap with wide parallel rib.
I once owned a 60's vintage Broadway Trap that was virtually new but never liked it. Bulky wide forend, square knob pistol grip, etc...poor handling characteristics. By comparison, a narrow rib Lightning Trap, especially one with 32" barrels, has a lively dynamic feel that is completely different.
Bottom Line: If it's a Broadway then the $2,500 price is too high for me and may exceed fair market value anyway. Check it out carefully.

Eightbore,
Yes it 's a B'way and Schwing's book does say '61 for the intro. Interesting, Schwing's book and Browning.com estimated dates of mfr are not in sync, '62 and '61 respectively for this gun.

And thanks for the straight opinions on pricing gents, I appreciate it.

If it's a Lightning, does that mean the stock and forend are trimmer? Any lighter barrels than the standard Broadway?