The gunmaker John Moses Browning is famous for many of his inventions: from the M1911 pistol and the Browning .50 caliber machine gun to shotguns like the Auto-5 and Superposed. Unfortunately, he never created a double with horizontal barrels. Those came forty-five years after Mr Browning’s death when his company introduced their BSS line of side-by-sides.
Browning introduced the BSS in 1971 and made them through 1987. Most were boxlocks, But Browning also made a number of sidelock BSSs. These Holland & Holland pattern shotguns were made from 1983-1987, and even though they weren’t big sellers, they were well made, and they’ve inspired a following among some very knowledgeable people like gunsmith James Flynn (Read this article to find out why he like them).
This sidelock BSS caught my eye because it has 28″ barrels (most have 26″ tubes). If you’re looking for a reliable double at a good price, you should check it out.
Browning, SxS Shotgun, Model B-SS Sidelock, 12 gauge, s/n 01092PX918: FULL SIDELOCK, double triggers, floral and scroll hand engraved, satin grey finish. DESIRABLE 28″ bbls, CHOPPER LUMPED, double underlocking lugs, AUTOMATIC EJECTORS, choked Modified & Full. English-style straight select Walnut stock, splinter forearm, CHECKERED BUTT, nicely checkered, DAC 1 1/2″, DAH 2 1/4″, slightly cast off for a right hand shooter. 100% original metal and wood, metal retains 100% bright blue, receiver retains perfect satin grey finish, wood is 98-99% exhibiting only a couple of storage marks on one side of buttstock. Price: $4995
