This is the last of three recently acquired Superposeds that I'd like as much info as I can gather about. What I think I know: Belgian Fabrique Nationale Herstal Superposed Description Manufactured c. 1970 Serial number: 24xxxS70 Import marked on the bottom barrel 2 3/4" inch chamber 28" barrels Chokes marked "**$" (skeet) on both 14 5/8 inch length of pull 1/2" wide rib (not 5/8") Gun appears to have the lightweight frame Condition is very good, particularly for a a 55 year old gun. Anything I can learn is great!
Looks like the resident expert checked in yesterday so give him some time to see this. He will have information for you.
well, it would if there were a big following on these. We have a couple members that have interest. I know nothing but always like to look at pictures.
There's a gap in my FN catalogs. Would you confirm whether the barrels are 27-1/2" (70cm) or 28" (71cm)? The '66 brochure for the 104 Special Skeet specifies 28" barrels with 15mm rib. The '74 catalog lists a model 105 Spcl SK with 27-1/2" barrels with 12 mm rib. I am aware your gun is a '70 production so could've been a transition configuration. That pad does not appear to be original. Just an observation.
Barrels are exactly 701mm on my metric tape measure. I get a pretty consistent 12.3mm reading on a micrometer on the rib. 0.47" +/- a little Imperial. I agree - it's pretty clearly an attempt to add length back to the stock after a previous cut down. ...If it matters at all, the US Importer marked on the bottom of the barrels is Woodcock Hill, Benton PA. Whether they were the original importer or brought the gun in later isn't known, though I'd tip towards later as the marking looks laser engraved rather than stamped.
Your measurements then confirm that the barrels are 27-1/2" long with a 12mm rib which would be consistent with a Model 105 - not 28" as stated in the ad and subsequent descriptions. the standard factory LOP for this gun would've been 14-3/8".
Thanks. It does seem to fit that Model 105 - that's a good thing to know. I should have pointed out that the "Description" in my OP was from the auction house with a couple of comments added by me. I hadn't bothered to double check the barrel length until you asked. they looked close enough to me.. This gun will probably become my daughter's clays gun, so more adjustments to stock length are probably in the cards. She's been shooting a '71 Browning Superposed Lightning for the past couple years and she's finally getting good enough that the gun's light weight and short barrels are becoming a hindrance.
A potentially dumb question: does the Model 105 have the lightweight frame that my gun has? ...and if there's any data I can gather from my gun that helps fill gaps in the information you have, please let me know.
The receiver profile of your gun is consistent with what is known as a "lightweight' frame which became standard on the Speciale Skeet Model 105. The initial FN Speciale Skeet Models 103 & 104 (67cm x 16mm and 71cm x 16mm barrels, respectively) were built on the 'Standard Weight' frame (BrowninG terminology) or 'Traditional' frame (FN terminology). The most distinguishing visual difference in the two is that the frame 'tab' extension (at the lower rear portion of the receiver where it meets the 'ear' portion of the buttstock) is squared on the Traditional frame and is pointed on the Lightweight frame. This is not to be confused with the 'pointed' appearance of SOME 'sculpted' frames (FN C & D Grades prior to 1966) that were commonly shaped by the factory gunsmiths in a 'pointed' termination of the acanthus wedge that formed the 'cheeks' (joues) to lessen the purely 'mechanical' function of the round cocking lever pin and enhance the shape of the game scene oval for a more balanced 'canvas' for the game scene or engraving motif. Early models were square tabs - gradually giving way to more artistic 'lines' for more elegant and flowing forms as early as 1954. Thanks for your kind offer. The presence of a Lightweight framed 1970 Speciale Skeet model confirms the Model 105 (70 cm x 12mm barrels and LW frame) appeared somewhere between 1966 and 1970, now - instead of between 1966 and 1974 (previously).......narrowing that gap. Thanks.
Thanks again - I compile a document for each of my guns and all of the information you've shared will go into the one for this gun.
