Traditional Gear columnist Ken Doherty solutions readers’ gun questions whereas providing value determinations and historic backgrounds on choose firearms.
Browning 20-Gauge Superposed
Q: What a coincidence that on the time I’m researching my Browning 20-gauge Superposed, OOD publishes your column on the identical gun within the Jan.-Feb. 2024 problem. I lately got here into possession of a Browning 20 gauge. Once I phoned Browning to study extra about it and gave them the serial #1445, they instructed me that if it stated Browning Arms Company, that it was made in Belgium and was a Superposed mannequin made in 1941. Does this all make sense? I noticed one in every of these shotguns with serial quantity 164 go for $5,200 US. Now I don’t wish to use it and will promote it.
Paul Prokopchuck, Bramalea
Ken Doherty: Paul, I’m afraid that I’ve some good and unhealthy information for you. Based mostly on the images that you simply offered and the serial quantity, I affirm that your gun was made in Belgium by Fabrique Nationale for Browning in 1949. That is additionally the yr they launched their 20-gauge Superposed however solely in Grade 1 or Discipline Grade.
Sadly, primarily based on the blurred — not crisp — lettering on the barrel and the faint ornamental engraving on the receiver, I’m sure that the metallic work in your gun was poorly restored and re-blued. Solely extreme submitting or use of abrasive metal wool, and over-polishing can account for the misplaced element. I assume that the inventory was refinished as effectively. This is not going to enchantment to a collector and so the worth stays at round $1,000. Use it and revel in it as a candy little gun!
Woodmaster Mannequin 742
Q: I’ve an fascinating rifle that maybe you wish to touch upon. It’s a Woodmaster Mannequin 742; serial #C0366, .308 Win calibre, made by Remington Arms in New York. The embedded coin within the inventory reads: Canadian Centennial Gun 1967. Any data and the attainable worth can be appreciated.
Mel Ellies, Kanata
Ken Doherty: Remington solely made 1,968 .308 Mannequin 742 Canadian Centennial rifles in 1966. They have been offered alone or as a field set with a equally adorned Ruger 10/22. Remington’s 742 Woodmaster semi-automatic rifle developed via a number of fashions, all primarily based on the profile of the Remington Mannequin 11-48 28-gauge shotgun. The Woodmaster sequence included Fashions 81 launched in 1936, 740 in 1955, and 742 in 1960. Remington offered a number of variations of the 742 together with 742A Customary and ADL Deluxe and later 742C (Carbine), CDL Deluxe, BDL, unique D and F grades, and commemorative fashions.
Remington discontinued the 742 on December 31, 1980, with a complete manufacturing of 1,497,169 largely in .30-06. They changed it with the Fashions 4, 7400, and later 750. Regardless of their reputation, 742s have been susceptible to jamming and have been typically referred to as “Jam Masters” or “Jam-o-matics.” Sadly, your commemorative mannequin has restricted collector worth. An entire boxed set with unique field, Mannequin 742 rifle, and Mannequin 10/22 Ruger with matching serial numbers in glorious situation sells at public sale for $1,000 or only a 742 “Canadian Centennial,” for $550.
Stevens Seen Loading Repeater
Q: I’ve an previous Stevens seen loading repeater. It really works completely. Wish to know the worth of it so I can promote it.
Gary Wing, Prescott
Ken Doherty: Gary, what a novel little pump-action .22! Edward E. Redfield from Oregon was awarded the patent on April 20, 1907 and offered the rights to the J. Stevens Arms and Device Firm. Stevens launched it in 1908 because the Seen Loading Repeater, aka No. 70. The corporate produced greater than 100,000 in a number of completely different fashions and variations by 1934.
Yours was made after the corporate shortened its identify to the J. Stevens Arms Firm in 1916 and earlier than they shortened the gun’s identify to the Seen Loader in 1925. Judging from the metallic’s brown patina, seen put on on the buttstock, and its performance, it seems to be in good situation.
A number of older and newer variations in honest to glorious situation have offered in Canadian auctions lately from $316 to $492, honest market worth, excluding fee.
Initially printed within the June-July 2024 problem of Ontario OUT of DOORS
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