Browning Light 12 - Belgium

I have a Browning "Light Twelve" made in 1949 that I am valuing for a friend. It has some bluing wear on top of the barrel above the receiver, and the bluing on the receiver, while not bad, looks like it has been touched up as it is uneven in color with some streaks.

The owner sanded down the cheekpad on the stock but it looks like he mainly removed the finish.

It has a "Champion" variable choke on it which is in perfect condition. I do not know if they cut the barrel to install it.

I'd appreciate an idea of what it is worth.

thanks
noodle

noodle wrote:

I have a Browning "Light Twelve" made in 1949 that I am valuing for a friend. It has some bluing wear on top of the barrel above the receiver, and the bluing on the receiver, while not bad, looks like it has been touched up as it is uneven in color with some streaks.

The owner sanded down the cheekpad on the stock but it looks like he mainly removed the finish.

It has a "Champion" variable choke on it which is in perfect condition. I do not know if they cut the barrel to install it.

I'd appreciate an idea of what it is worth.

thanks
noodle

hello,,the browning "light 12" wasn't made in 1949 according to my books,,they made the auto 5 in 1936 but the only light12 listed in my books was made in 1975 so i think your date is wrong,,the wood being sanded takes alot away from value as does the champion variable choke since browning didn't use a variable choke,,so if your shotgun is a light 12 as you said it should be marked on the barrel that it was made in japan by Miroku but doesn't mean it's inferior but with the stock sanded and someone instaling the choke on it i'd say it's only worth somewhere in the 200-400 range,,mabey a little more but if someone wants a good hunting shotgun..so double check how it's marked and see if the barrel is marked with japan,,if not let me know exactly what is marked on the receiver and the barrel and where it say's it was made,and mabey i can give ya a better idea of the value..
bigcurt

It is an Auto-5 model that says "Light Twelve" in scrolled writing on the side of the receiver, and the barrel says "Made in Belgium". I am told the Belgian-made guns are worth more since it was probably made by FN. I appreciate your help in valuing it.