April 11-13, 2023 Firearms and Militaria
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 4/11/2023
Circa 1976; during this time frame, Browning used a mixed named-and-number grading scale rather than just numbers, with Diana being a step just below the Midas. Barrels with narrow vent rib with anti-glare matting, steel front bead superseded by an added fiber optic front sight. Barrels with "BROWNING ARMS COMPANY MORGAN, UTAH & MONTREAL P.Q. / MADE IN BELGIUM" on left; "BROWNING SUPERPOSED / SPECIAL STEEL 20GA. SHELLS - 3" BROWNING PATENTS" on right. Choke markings are "**" on upper barrel and "**-" on bottom barrel, indicating Modified and Improved Cylinder. Browning sliding rounded nose field forearm with point pattern checkering and 2-part Deely style latch release. French grey action engraved in typical Diana grade with bevy of pheasants on left side, 2 nesting, 2 standing, and 1 descending in a wooded scene, 2 quail in flight on bottom of action, and a group of 4 ducks on right, 2 airborne, 1 on the shore, and 1 on the water; supporting floral scroll and punch dot throughput, with an additional vignette depicting a pair of hares alerting on the trigger guard. Engraving is signed by M.D. Franco on right side of receiver and is superbly executed. Single selective mechanical trigger with iconic Browning gold wash, non-automatic safety. Flat knob long tang stock made of feather crotch walnut with sidepanels and wave pattern checkering at the grip. Browning hard rubber buttplate. CONDITION: Barrels retain virtually all of their bluing with very minor marks from handling and use; most noticeable where forearm reciprocates along bottom barrel. Engraving is crisp and well defined, with some scattered spots of oxidation and unidentified tendrils of some chemical. Stocks are excellent, free of cracks of chips, and showing superficial scratches to finish and light marks from the field. Mechanically fine, ejectors are in time, bore with light frosting.
Barrel Wall Thickness
(BOTH) .046
Internal Bore Diameter
(O) .621 (U) .622
Length of Pull
14 - 1/4" to wood